Australian Grand Prix Saved?
Despite considerable doubt over its place on the F1 calendar in recent months, it would appear that the future of the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne has been saved. In a surprising turnaround, it seems a deal has been struck that will keep both Melbourne and the Australian Grand Prix on the Formula 1 calendar for at least the next seven years.
According to the Sunday Herald Sun deal to retain the Australian Grand Prix will be agreed within days, extending the contract to host the race around Albert Park to 2015.
A verbal agreement has allegedly been reached, with a senior source in Victoria’s government confirming that the event will remain in Melbourne and revealing an announcement is ‘imminent’, adding: “We haven’t signed the deal but we’re going to quite soon.”]
The deal is expected to include a move to later race start times — probably about 5pm local time — to attract a wider European television audience. Tourism and Major Events Minister Tim Holding re-iterated that a night race remained 100 per cent out of the question.
“We have ruled out a night grand prix and that is not negotiable,” he stressed. “This is a good event for the state. It’s one we want to keep, and we’ll be working hard to ensure that it does remain here in Melbourne in the years ahead.”
Technorati Tags: Melbourne, Australian Grand Prix, Formula One, Sports, Auto Racing, F1, Full Throttle, F1 Rage!
Two things,
1 I’m going to wait until I see a inked contract from Bernie, the papers these days predict anything on a rumor.
2 5 o’clock in the afternoon Melbourne is 7am Europe or 6 am U.K…..how is this more friendly to the Europeans TV audience.
1. me to!
2. so they can have a taste of The Dear Boy and Lewis with their bangers, biscuits and tea.