Why The F1 Grand Prix Should Stay In Melbourne…

Unless you have been living under a rock for the last few days, you would know that Melbourne has just hosted its thirteenth Formula One Grand Prix. Every year the race has been held at the controversial Albert Park Lake site close to the Melbourne CBD.

The race was broadcasted on Network Ten with coverage hosted by Bill Woods for three on the four days the racing action was at the track. There has been a lot of talk that Melbourne is at risk of losing the Grand Prix when its contract is over come 2010. There has also been talk that New South Wales Premier Morris Iemma would like to bring the race to Sydney hosting the event at Eastern Creek raceway.

Melbourne is the ideal location to host the Australian Grand Prix over any other city in Australia, it has even been stated by Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone that it is either Melbourne hosting the event or it will go overseas. Sydney unlike Melbourne does not have a raceway close to the city centre. The proposed location of Eastern Creek is some 35 kilometres from Sydney, unlike Albert Park only 2 kilometres providing the perfect backdrop for the race and easy transport access via Tram.

So with no other Australian city in real contention to gain the race it is up to Melbourne to retain it. Next year’s race will see it being moved to a 5pm start time so that it can appeal to European television audiences in an effort to boost ratings, and in an attempt to compromise with Bernie Ecclestone’s wish to have a night race to please everyone in Europe.

The Victorian Government has stated that Melbourne will not be hosting a night race because the cost to tax payers will be too great, but what will the cost be to Victoria and Australia is the race was to leave altogether?

This is the fourth year of which I have been working at the Grand Prix, and I’m lucky enough to be working in a prime position right on turn one and two so I can see the carnage of crashes as all the cars try to cement their position by getting around that first sharp corner. The images below from the official telecast show exactly where I get to stand.

Below are some pictures I took personally.

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