Hi all, Interesting news on autosport today (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/89121). To paraphrase for those who don't want to read it, the Mayor of Melbourne has said the city can no longer handle the costs of having the grand prix, and Ecclestone has said he's prepared to end the contract (currently running until 2015), if Melbourne no longer want to host the race. So, do you think this is the end of the Australian Grand Prix? Or will it move to another track, back to Adelaide maybe? Maybe to make room for some of the newer tracks on the calendar, Melbourne might be the first of the more traditional tracks to go? There was talk of Vietnam wanting to host a race, and I'm sure theres other countries interested. Thoughts people? It may not be my place to say this, as I'm not mod, but can this stay on topic, and not degenerate into personal abuse, or which driver is best? Theres other threads for that. Thanks.
Melbourne is one of the circuits I really like. The races are always exciting and I always own everyone online on that track (in F1 2010). With all the interest from other countries, I doubt Melbourne will have it's contract renewed.
Have always struggled at Melbourne on the F1 games. Don't know why, just one of my bogey tracks. Barcelona is the other. Never do as well there as on other tracks such as Monaco, Hungary, Belguim and especially Turkey!
I think El_Bando is probably right, I like Melbourne, it usually produces decent racing. One of my favourites on F1 games too (even if I am still playing 06!!).
I think F1 will leave Australia at the end of the contract. They've spoken out about the cost to host and how it makes sense, and Bernies calling their bluff. Although I love the racing and the early mornings and the passion of the crowds there, they should have learnt from Silverstone, if you play mind games with Bernie, he always wins
I was surpised to find out it takes a month to build the circuit each year, and then 6 weeks to remove it. You can imagine why locals would get annoyed, traffic must be terrible for those 10 weeks. I'm not sure how many other events are held there during that period. It'd be a shame to lose it. Adding to that, the reason why monaco has practice on thursday and not friday is to allow the roads to be opened to the public, to ease traffic. Does this not happen at melbourne? Apparently the monte carla gp also takes 6 weeks of construction each year, then 3 weeks removal.
