Column: Melbourne to stay on the F1 calendar forever?

The F1 ringmaster, Bernie Eccelstone, has said that he would like to extend the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit’s contract as it expires in 2015.

The circuit that surrounds the Albert Park lake was first introduced onto the F1 calendar in 1996 and will be the opening Grand Prix on the 17th of March. However, the local government and some resident groups have questioned renewing the contract because of the cost to the taxpayer.

[LEFT_IMG=4f620b7367cdae51ce96c1d2700bb54f80e72c6623005][/LEFT_IMG]The government haven’t said yet if they are interested in renewing the contract, but Bernie Ecclestone seems happy to do so.

The 82 year old said, “We hope we’re going to be in Melbourne forever. We’re happy with Melbourne and I’d be happy to sign a 50-year contract. We don’t have a problem with Melbourne.”

”I understand we do get a little bit of criticism. I don’t know why. You start wondering are we really wanted in Melbourne?”

”It appears to be [wanted] now; whenever these sorts of things happen I’m told, ‘Don’t be silly about that, it’s just one or two people making a noise. We’re happy for Formula One to be there.”

Before the 1996 season, the Australian Grand Prix was staged at the Adelaide Circuit. Other circuits have shown an interest in taking the Grand Prix from Melbourne.

”We get proposals from other parts, but we’re happy in Melbourne,” Ecclestone continued.

”Everybody loves Australia and loves Australian people, and it’s good to be there… and Melbourne, in itself, is a nice place.”

Order your 2013 F1 merchandise before the first Grand Prix here!

Replies (0)

Login to reply

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule
show sidebar