FIA president Jean Todt does not want to lose the Australian Grand Prix
FIA’s president and former Ferrari boss, Jean Todt has recently stated that Formula 1 should not lose a venue like the Australian Grand Prix as it is quite beneficial for the sport. This statement creates a conflict with Bernie Ecclestone’s statements regarding
the Australian Grand Prix as he said that Formula 1 “does not need” Australia in its calendar.
Todt’s recent comments come against reports that revealed that the cost of the annual Australian Grand Prix that takes place in Melbourne at the Albert Park circuit is more than the amount of money the locals earn from the event.
“Formula 1 … is a sport and it is important, and if formula one does exist I think it is important to have one race in Australia because Australia is among the biggest nations in the world,” Todt said while he was in Melbourne for a road safety campaign
one week before the F1 circus arrives.
The Australian Grand Prix has been consistently taking place since the 1996 Formula 1 season and it has proved to be a very entertaining and reliable venue for the sport for the past couple of years.
While talking to the media, Jean Todt is reported to have said, “Australia has been doing a great job together with people from [motor racing federation] CAMS. They have put Australia among the best grands prix in the season,”
“Melbourne is a sensational venue with nice people, and when I arrived yesterday, I was thinking how good Melbourne is for Formula One,” added the FIA president.
The Australian Grand Prix, commencing from the 27th of March, 2011, is going to be the season opening race of the 2011 Formula 1 season and it will be interesting to see how each team performs at the venue, as their respective performances would
reveal what each team is capable of this year in terms of pace and reliability.
It is interesting to note that Mercedes GP’s Michael Schumacher holds the joint record for the most number of wins at the Australian GP along with former Australian driver Lex Davison. Both drivers have won four races each and the German will be hoping that
his experience works in his favour this time around as well.
Tags: