Australian Officials Refute F1 Circuit Relocation

Australian government officials claim that the Formula One Grand Prix in the nation will stay in Melbourne’s Albert Park precinct, health as long as the race continues to be held in the state of Victoria. 

The officials made the announcement after recent reports had suggested that the race could be moved away from the street circuit in Melbourne, therapy to a purpose-built track in Avalon. 

Louise Asher, the government’s major events minister, said that moving the race from Albert Park to the dedicated track would cost nearly US$325m, stating: “The Grand Prix is going to stay at Albert Park. One of the reasons the branding of Melbourne has been so successful is that the GP is at Albert Park.”

The events minister said the new conservative state coalition would push F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone when negotiations for a new contract begin in late 2013, adding: “The contract that the previous government signed is an expensive contract. I think taxpayers could get a better deal if the contract had less in it for my good friend Mr Ecclestone and more in it for Victorian taxpayers.”