The Premier of Victoria has dismissed suggestions that Sydney could prise Formula 1’s Australian Grand Prix away from Melbourne.
A report on Seven News this week outlined tentative plans linking Sydney, capital of New South Wales, to a bid to run Australia’s grand prix.
Melbourne, capital of Victoria, has held Formula 1’s Australian Grand Prix since 1996 and holds a contract through 2025.
The last two editions have not been held; 2020’s event was called off hours before running was due to begin while 2021’s grand prix was cancelled because of Australia’s entry restrictions.
Formula 1 is scheduled to return to Melbourne in April, as the third round of 2022, with Australia’s entry restrictions expected to ease in the coming weeks and months as vaccination targets are reached. Melbourne’s lengthy lockdown ended on Friday.
“Last time I looked it was going to be run across the Sydney Harbour Bridge and that was two days before we signed a 10-year deal,” quipped Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews.
“We don’t take anything for granted but the grand prix is here to stay. Anyway, that’s fine, others can have a go, the race is here, it’s going to be held in April, I look forward to sitting down with Stefano Domenicali and having a long chat about how great it is to have Formula 1 back.
“We’re very confident that this is the major events capital of our nation.
“We’re not complacent in any way, but from time to time we get told from Sydney what they’re going to pinch from us and it very rarely happens, I can’t think of an example actually.
“We’ve got a contract, the contract isn’t ending next week, we’ve got years to run, we’re very confident that this is the place for Formula 1.”
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