Excellent news that it's staying in Australia "The Formula One Australian Grand Prix will stay in Melbourne until at least the end of the decade. Victorian Premier Denis Napthine says the five-year deal between his government and event organisers will keep the annual race at Albert Park until 2020. "This is a terrific announcement that reaffirms Melbourne and Victoria as the major events and sporting capital of the world," he told Fairfax Radio on Sunday. Dr Napthine, whose government has been critical of the amount of public money spent on the Grand Prix, said the new contract was a "great deal" for taxpayers. "It's a better deal than the existing contract," he said. The Melbourne Grand Prix will continue to be held in March and will be the first of the F1 season, Dr Napthine said." Grand Prix to stay in Melbourne until 2020
I have to admit that thought did cross my mind too. Let's hope its fixed by next year. It was good to be back down again this year.
You must be remarkably well connected to be able to say that. In any case, same result as far as I'm concerned. In fact I'd be more likely to go if it was overseas.
If Melbourne lost the GP, or decided it didnt want it, the competion would be overseas cities that would be prepared to spend orders of magnitude more to host a GP than Adelaide could / would be prepared to. And if it went to an asian location, they'd probably offer to run the GP at night to fit in with European TV schedules as well. M
Damned if we do, and damned if we don't... Melb is crap, but agree no one else is putting their hand up. Perth?!?!?!
I don't think you'll see another new street circuit in Australia (community opposition), and the business case for a greenfields track suitable for F1 is pretty weak unless there is a lot of other Motorsport using it the rest of the year. Melbourne's actually quite good, in the sense that it's a large track in the heart of the city, not using any major roads. The infrastruscture ( public transport & accomodation ) is already there and it all works pretty well for the visitors M
Sorry, I've been to Melb several times and after the last effort around 2007 swore never again due to the following crap: 1. Can't buy a grandstand seat for raceday - min $500 for 4 day pass 2. Absolutely crap and inadequate F&B catering outside of corporate tents 3. Minimal big screens around the track 4. Getting away from the circuit after the race is a nightmare. Not to mention the fact that you risk equal chances of freezing / frying/ drowning on the day.
I agree that if you're in GA there are limited big sceens, but there are screens visible from most grandstands. Can one expect great food at a racetrack ?, I have breakfast and dinner elsewhere anyway. I disagree about getting away from the track, I've done it by car or train and it's been pretty good. Melbourne weather can be crap, all 4 seasons in a day. makes for interesting racing though. M
Try getting away from the Monza GP quickly, or Silverstone (maybe they've upgraded their egress in the last few years ??
You can get out of the Melbourne GP in minutes, Monza took me well over an hour, Silverstone was hopeless, better now I hear