Formula One 2012

[AZUCAR!]

Bernie Ecclestone has warned that the Australian Grand Prix could be scrapped once its current contract expires in 2015, as it is the "least viable" race on the calendar.

The F1 supremo says the only way Melbourne can save its grand prix is to run the race under floodlights to make the timing more suitable for a European television audience.

Albert Park has been home to Formula One since 1996, when the race moved from the Adelaide street circuit, but Ecclestone envisions Australia losing its race if Melbourne cannot meet his demands, rather than moving back to Adelaide.

"We have a contract which we will respect - so up until 2015 we are in good shape," the 81-year-old told Melbourne newspaper The Age.

"After then, we really don't know. If we were to have a divorce from our friends in Melbourne we would probably be walking away from Australia.

"Because I can't see how Adelaide could make it happen, or anywhere else, if Melbourne can't. The race itself, from our point of view, is probably the least viable of all the races we have."

"We have other races ready to take the place of Australia - which we don't want to happen.

"But it would be wrong of me to have to report to our board, 'Terribly sorry about this but we have to walk away from wherever to retain Australia'.''

What is it with Bernie and wanting to scrap races? I've always liked the Melbourne circuit so I would hope that it won't disappear from the race calender after 2015. Racing under floodlights would be an interesting scenario. Especially since it's work for Singapore & it certainly would be suitable for European viewers of F1 like myself.

 

[Troy]

The problem with the Australian GP is every now and then the government or the opposition will complain about how much it costs and claim that it is a waste of money. They fail to recognise that this is a great advertisement for Melbourne since it is one of the highest viewed sports worldwide. I hope that we never lose it, if Melbourne don't want it they should give it back to Adelaide since they stole it from us to begin with.

 

[Clydefrog]

i can't see austrailia losing it, and if it happened it would be a travisty to the sport, i like the idea of it being in every country and every race is different, melbourne has a good track and is fun to watch and i can't think of a replacement

 

[Troy]

They will probably add another in the Middle East or in Asia since they are desperate to get hold of the market there.

 

[Clydefrog]

but austrailia is a big draw, yes asia is good but austrailia is one of the big tourist zones, imo i think its stupid to even consider getting rid of it

 

[Troy]

It isn't Bernie that wants to dump it it is the State Government who don't want to pay $55 million a year. Bernie won't budge on the price though and would be happy to walk away from Australia because he can easily find a couple of other countries that would be willing to pay that fee each year. I hope that we never lose it because it is an awesome event to host.

By the way I have posted two vbookies for this season, Drivers Championship and Constructors Championship. Place your bets, post your tips in those threads and then head back here to discuss them more. I aim to post one for each event so that we can bet on each race this season.

 

[Clydefrog]

cant blame bernie for not budging as other countries would pay that!, good times with vbookie events! you should do that with english football aswell!

p.s gimmie credits

 

[Troy]

I can't see the government not extending the contract though especially with Webber doing so well and Ricciardo looking so promising. If there were no Australians in F1 then I would be worried that the government wouldn't be interested.

I might start getting some Premier League stuff posted, not tonight but maybe tomorrow.

Sent you few credits to get you by for now.

 

[AZUCAR!]

There's a new USA GP to debut later this year in Austin, TX. I believe next season there's going to be a Russian GP. The other USA GP in New Jersey (which will be a street race) I think either debuts next season or in 2014. I believe Bernie also is on about having a race in South Africa too.

But the main thing is, they want to keep the number of Grand Prix to 20 like it currently is for this season. So some races will eventually be taken off the race calender.

 

[Troy]

I am looking forward to the New Jersey street race, it will be a brilliant event to watch them race around that part of the world.

A few of the European countries have hinted at dropping their F1 races because of how bad their countries finances are so maybe they will drop out to be replaced by these new races. I want them to keep the season to 20 races otherwise it can be too much.

 

[Doink]

Well, the first couple of practises are done and Michael Schumacher looks very good. That Mercedes car looks a top contender this season. Force India did well too.

 

[AZUCAR!]

Yeah Schumi did well in 2nd practice, as did Nico Hulkenburg. I watched the first practice session live and recorded the 2nd one.

Can't wait until qualifying.

 

[Doink]

Yeah, I reckon that Schumi will get pole

 

[AZUCAR!]

Mercedes seem to be quick, but I don't think either Schumi or Rosberg will get pole.

I'm going with Vettel or Button.

 

[Doink]

What an interesting qualifying session. Ferrari flopped, McLaren got a 1-2 with Hamilton and Button, Romain Grosjean did an outstanding performance to get 3rd for Lotus

1 Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) McLaren 1mins 24.922secs

2 Jenson Button (Gbr) McLaren 1:25.074

3 Romain Grosjean (Swi) Lotus F1 Team 1:25.302

4 Michael Schumacher (Ger) Mercedes GP 1:25.336

5 Mark Webber (Aus) Red Bull 1:25.651

6 Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Red Bull 1:25.688

7 Nico Rosberg (Ger) Mercedes GP 1:25.686

8 Pastor Maldonado (Ven) Williams 1:25.908

9 Nico Hulkenberg (Ger) Force India 1:26.451

10 Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:26.319

11 Jean-Eric Vergne (Fra) Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:26.429

12 Fernando Alonso (Spa) Ferrari 1:26.494

13 Kamui Kobayashi (Jpn) Sauber-Ferrari 1:26.590

14 Bruno Senna (Bra) Williams 1:26.663

15 Paul di Resta (Gbr) Force India 1:27.086

16 Felipe Massa (Bra) Ferrari 1:27.497

17 Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Lotus F1 Team 1:27.758

18 Heikki Kovalainen (Fin) Caterham 1:28.679

19 Vitaly Petrov (Rus) Caterham 1:29.018

20 Timo Glock (Ger) Marussia 1:30.923

21 Charles Pic (Fra) Marussia 1:31.670

22 Sergio Perez (Mex) Sauber-Ferrari 1:26.596 *

Did not qualify:

Pedro de la Rosa (Spa) HRT-F1 1:33.495

Narain Karthikeyan (Ind) HRT-F1 1:33.643

* Perez handed five-place grid penalty for gearbox change.