No more F1 for Melbourne?
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Australia looks likely to lose its Formula One Grand Prix to India, Russia or South Korea, according to reports quoting F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone.
Ecclestone was quoted saying by AFP that there were better prospects of chasing more money, sponsorship and television audiences if the event was held in these countries.
The Australian race has been held in Melbourne and Adelaide for the last 23 years, but high costs a desire to stage the race at night for European television audiences has clouded its future in Australia, AFP said.
According to Ecclestone, Melbourne stood a chance if the race was held at night, similar to what would be staging on September 28 this year.
Melbourne is contracted to stage the event until 2010, but last year’s Australian Grand Prix lost nearly A$35 million (US$32 million).
“Maybe we don’t want to be in Australia,” Ecclestone told Sydney newspaper The Sunday Telegraph. “Our costs are very high in Australia and we get a lot less money. It’s bloody bad for us.”
The report also quoted Australian Grand Prix chairman Ron Walker dismissing reports that Melbourne will lose the contract.
“When you look at other Grands Prix around the world in China, Dubai and Malaysia they don’t get anything like the attendances we get in Melbourne.”
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