Feb.26 (GMM) Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve will receive a facelift with the aid of state funds ahead of June's Canadian grand prix.

The German news agency SID reports that the $4.5 million modernisation will come courtesy of the city and the Quebec province, involving a new media centre and updated pit lane and paddock.

After the demise of the US grand prix at Indianapolis, the Canadian race this season will be the only North American stop on the 2008 formula one calendar.

F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone warned one year ago that Montreal must update its F1 circuit or risk losing the race.

"Montreal does not need to build the Taj Mahal or compete with Shanghai or Bahrain," he said.

"But we do want to represent the city in this new era of the sport," Ecclestone added.