Melbourne to lose F1

[lukey73]

Just found this on Ninemsn, doesnt sound very convincing either way whether it will stay or go but given the amount of countries looking for an F1 might be time for the Federal Government to put up some funds not a State Government.

The future of the Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne is in doubt, with the Victorian Government reconsidering the public value of hosting the race past 2010.
The refusal to commit comes amid threatening calls from Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone, who is planning to move the race to another city if Melbourne does not agree to stage the race at night.
Deputy Premier John Thwaites said yesterday the Government is undecided on the future of the event, The Australian reports.

"We've got the Grand Prix until 2010. It is a very important part of the major events calendar. We continue to support that," Thwaites said.
"But in terms of beyond that, obviously we have to see what the situation is."
Ecclestone has met with Premier Steve Bracks and demanded the race be held at night in Melbourne, to allow European viewers to tune in at a reasonable time of day.
But Thwaites said yesterday Victoria would not be pushed around by Formula One.
"There's a lot of negotiating strategy in what Mr Ecclestone's doing," Thwaites said.
"He's trying to push the Government in a particular way and the Government's not prepared to just simply respond on the basis of being pushed."
The Grand Prix reportedly cost taxpayers $21 million in 2006, and this year the price is expected to rise to almost $30 million.

[Leigh]

All speculation and pollitical placing...nothing can be read into that one way or the other...

[Buffalo]

All speculation and pollitical placing...nothing can be read into that one way or the other...

Agree - just political argy bargy at the moment - although - If Singapore goes ahead in 2008 as a night race then the pressure might really be on Melbourne ... ahhh - whats a couple of million dollars worth of floodlights to add to the big losses already :rolleyes: If they get the V8's back for day races and the F1 at night it could be a really cool spectacle.

[lexoto]

I don't think melbourne will have a night g.p,all the residents near the circuit will complain again.

[wayno]

Melbourne is now seriously under threat. I hold grave fears for our race in the future.

[VXfan]

Why should be we have to appease the Euros?This is the 'World' championship isn't it?
Cheers,
Tony.

[lukey73]

Why should be we have to appease the Euros?This is the 'World' championship isn't it?
Cheers,
Tony.

Tony its not just the Europeans but the Yanks too, given that the biggest stream of revenue for Bernie is the TV rights why would a Network pay some much money for a series when 2-4 races are shown outside normal times ( ie 3 am in the morning when most people in the nothern hemisphere are asleep ) i can see why the Oz GP may go if it doesnt change.

I hope this isnt the case but you never know :rolleyes:

[VXfan]

Since when have the yanks been interested in F1?

[lukey73]

Since when have the yanks been interested in F1?

Since Bernie told them they had to be:D, its the biggest market he is yet to really crack but given the ground work he has been doing he needs everything to go his way and showing races at hours when no one is awake to see them wont help

[brchi17]

All speculation and pollitical placing...nothing can be read into that one way or the other...

If we didn't have a government that likes to look, rather than do, then I would feel the same as you, but unfortunately that is not the case...:o

I am really starting to think that Melbourne will not provide the required lighting & as such we'll lose the GP after 2010 :o

[Tumbo]

just wait for beattie to come out and say we'll take it; put up the funds etc etc while having no electricity, no ambulances, no water, no working hospitals, no............... need i go on :rolleyes: (please keep the f1 in Melb)

[toad]

Bernie is also putting pressure on Australia to show the international GP's live rather than delayed as they are now. It seems he is definitely wanting a night GP here and combined with the whole Euro season shown at normal times.

I am not convinced a night GP is a good thing for us or even very viable. Its also not going to be very "green" with huge electricity consumtion. But I like his push for us to see live GP's. Not having live coverage is THE most frustrating aspect of F1 in Australia for me.

[wayno]

I wonder how much of all this is a smoke screen to cover the fact that Bernie would rather our gp go to a location that is prepared to pay him more money.
There are more people wanting to stage gp's (and pay much more than Melbourne are for the privelege) than there are races.
Just a niggle that won't go away.

[lionking]

Bring it back to Adelaide... We'll show ya how its done... And we even have had a night race event..LE-Mans.. LOL (just joking guys.. dont get hostile)

[brchi17]

I wonder how much of all this is a smoke screen to cover the fact that Bernie would rather our gp go to a location that is prepared to pay him more money...

have been wondering this too as the Bracks government seem reluctant to put much more into the GP, to a point where they them seem to speak as if it's a burden

[wayno]

Bring it back to Adelaide... We'll show ya how its done... And we even have had a night race event..LE-Mans.. LOL (just joking guys.. dont get hostile)

Adelaide lost the race in the first place due to Bernie's money grabbing. They are quite happy with Clipsal (and why wouldn't they be?) and have said numerous times they would not have f1 back.
I don't blame them either.

[BB]

Adelaide lost the race in the first place due to Bernie's money grabbing. They are quite happy with Clipsal (and why wouldn't they be?) and have said numerous times they would not have f1 back.
I don't blame them either.

I wouldn't take that as gospel. You know politicians. I remember when Kennet said "it's not even on our agenda" and the deal to have F1 in Melbourne was signed and sealed. Its possible all the new upgrade to Victoria Park is in readiness for 2011. Clipsal in March and GP in November. As lionking said, Adelaide hosted a very successful if not ill-conceived Lemans race.

[domstrama]

ah good old bernie.... the man has 2 virginia hams under each shoulder yet he still cries poor.... oh the agony