F1 doesn’t need Australian Grand Prix: Bernie Ecclestone
International Automobile Federation (FIA) CEO Bernie Ecclestone says the Australian Grand Prix may not be part of the Formula 1 calendar in the future. The 80-year-old sport racing tycoon is eyeing new and ‘better’ venues to make Formula 1 a global sport.
In a recent interview, Ecclestone hinted that an Australian Grand Prix was not required anymore and that since the number of races could not be increased, some venues would have to be ‘striked’ off the Formula 1 calendar. “Twenty races is enough. If we have
some new races, some others will fall out – we don't need Australia, for instance ...,” Ecclestone told the media.
However, the contract between the organisers of the Australian Grand Prix and the FIA is valid until 2015 and it will be up to the organisers whether or not they will want to extend the contract.
The organisers of Albert Park said some time ago that they did not want the race to take place at their venue since the costs required for the event had been increased and the profit earned from the event had dwindled.
Ecclestone said he had always wanted the Australian Grand Prix to be part of Formula 1 for a long time, but after the organisers’ comments, the FIA was having second thoughts about the event. “We have always been happy because I've always thought we had
big, big support in Melbourne and there's no reason why we should leave,” Ecclestone said.
However, he said he would not have any problem getting rid of the venue if the race proved unpopular in the coming few years. “It's still the largest sporting event on a single day basis in Australia... it gets a huge overseas audience,” he said.
The Australian Grand Prix has been one of the most exciting races in the past couple of seasons and it will not be an easy decision for the FIA to strike the event out that easily. Initially, the race had been the opening event of the season until it was
replaced by Bahrain as the season opener.
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