Quebec's tourism minister is telling CJAD news that a deal is within reach that would see the Grand Prix stay in Montreal until 2024.

While there's nothing official yet, talks are continuing between politicians and F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, and minister Pascal Berube says, he's optimistic about putting pen to paper on a deal before this year's edition of the Grand Prix runs in June.

"We're pretty enthusiastic about the fact that we could sign it this year, in the first half of the year," Berube said.

Ecclestone has clashed with polticians and local organizers before. The Grand Prix didn't run in Montreal in 2009, owing to a dispute.

Part of the deal, it seems, will be an overhaul of the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, particularly improvements to the garage and paddock areas, which are expected to cost $26 million.

The Grand Prix, of course, is one of the biggest tourist events of the year in Montreal. it costs roughly $22 million to put on a Grand Prix, but produces nearly triple that in economic spinoffs for the city.