Australia to lose F1 GP to Russia?
February 11, 2008 by Alborz Fallah
Although nothing is confirmed yet, it seems that Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone is preparing to move the Australian leg of the Formula 1 Grand Prix to Russia, rumoured to be held in St Petersburg from 2010 (when Melbourne’s contract runs out).
A British newspaper has reported that Ecclestone will fly to Russia next weekend to attend a meeting with the governor of St Petersburg to hammer out plans of a new dedicated purpose-built circuit on the outskirts of the city.
“Nothing is done yet,” Ecclestone said on Friday, “but this could be an interesting development for the sport. We’d like to get it in the calendar as soon as we can but that depends on them. It’s down to how long it takes them to get the circuit ready.
Avid Formula 1 fans would know that this has been tried before, when Ecclestone attempted to organize a race in Moscow which didn’t eventuate.
The move comes at no surprise after the Victorian government declared Melbourne would not hold a night race despite repeated threats from Ecclestone. Russia is also a much bigger fish, not only is it a newer market with more money, but tobacco advertising (Formula 1’s bread and butter) is not banned.
There has been no official word from Australian GP organizers regarding Ecclestone’s recent moves, but as it stands now, there is a reasonable possibility that the St Petersburg GP would replace Melbourne.
Organizers of the Malaysian GP have also signed a renewal-contract (form 2015 onwards) acknowledging their commitment to host the race at night.
The 2008 Formula 1 season will kick start in Melbourne (13 – 16 Mar) and will for the first time include a night race in Singapore towards the end of September.
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looks black & white to me, play after dark to Bernie’s rules or we are going to loose it…
I don’t see why we cant have a night race? Especially if it means keeping the GP here!
The Russian Grand Prix, proudly sponsored by Lada…
see this is what happens when people who don’t closely follow F1 try and report on it. This potential russian race has been on the cards for a LONG time, its a completely seperate story to the australian GP which everyone who follows F1 knows that its not really in danger, ecclestone runs with these kinds of threats all the time. And the fact that russia is a “bigger fish” then australia in population terms means nothign either cos everyone who knows anything about ecclestone knows that he doesn’t care about that, all he cares about is how much money a city is willing to pay for F1 to be there. If ecclestone really cared about population and so forth then he would never have left the US, yet he did didnt he! yep, because tony george, the owner of the indy motor speedway refused to pay the licencing fee.
^”everyone who follows F1 knows that its not really in danger”
When our own Mark Webber is pleading with the Brumby government to go with night racing & imploring people to fight to keep the gp – i think there is probably more to this than just sabre rattling from Bernie.
who cares…i dont…just another way brumby has bungled victoria…
Let there be racing at night – why doesn’t this fool in Vic just make it happen.
They stole it from Adelaide now they stuffed it up for all of Australia.
Clearly a bunch of useless bureaucrats who will still pick up their inflated paycheques regardless of the loss.
If Ecc can find a better venue than Albert Park let him find it.Recall how this venue was so not negotiable?
Night F1 brings with it a few more security issues
If the Melbourne GP management can’t stir public interest maybe it is time for it to move on.
Brumby stuffing it up?
I thought Liberal party identity establishment blue blood ex Melbourne Mayor Ron Walker was running this.
Does he fit the description “useless bureacrat”?
Australia doesn’t deserve a GP. The Russians have more money and are in Europe so it makes sense they get it. Aussie rednecks should just stick to the V8’s and getting drunk and chasing kangaroos at Bathurst.
I’m sure Ron has had a good earn as fees for his work with the F1. Ron’s dropped the ball or he has moved on!
we cant lose the grand prix in australia. i am only 16 and i wanna go there 1 day when i get my p’s it will be a sweet weekend. if we lose it i will be fuken pissed off. all the drivers say the aussie grand prix is up with the best they like it.
but the australian people need to go there.
Sadly, we are but a blip on the world marketplace. It will be a matter of “when” not “if” we lose our GP.
Melbourne is still one of the best cities in the world and is very much eye candy to tourists. I do believe F1 will stay here in this country – it’s just a problem where. Rumour has it that Sydney might host it soon. Last year’s GP didn’t make as much money as expected, so the 2008 results will matter a lot.
Would be awesome to race v8s during the day and F1 at night around the Adelaide street circuit.
If the moneys good for Ecclestone then it will go, the UK is about to lose its race due to the lack of sponsorship….Where are the majority of F1 designers hail from…..Mmmmm that’ll be the UK then.
Ecclestone if you’re reading this: if F1 goes to poxy 3rd world countries at the expense of civilised countries then it will die from the lack of attention.
I hope it does and the smaller constructors set their own series up. Non-tabacco based of course. Its a two horse race anyway.
Well, today Mr. Putin and the Sankt-Peterburg Mayor denied Bernie\’s greed….good for them……
He could have presented a more economical package to the Russians as they are still well below the levels of norm for monthly wages, and for the city and Moscow to foot the entire bill for structure and maintenance, at this point, is ludicrous (and there only measure of profit would be from a percentage of ticket sales)….there are a few Russian race drivers in the minor leagues and I don\’t see F1 doing anything to promote them to draw enough interest from the Russian citizens….
Surely we cant lose the racing here in Australia