Australian Grand Prix boss Andrew Westacott has dismissed a report the Method One race might find yourself in Sydney, saying Melbourne desires to maintain it after its contract expires in 2025.

1 Associated

Australian broadcaster Seven Community mentioned the New South Wales state authorities was having “excessive stage talks” a few doable bid to grab the race from Melbourne, with out naming sources.

Organisers had been compelled to cancel the 2020 and 2021 races in Melbourne resulting from COVID-19 restrictions.

Westacott mentioned the report was a shock to him however organisers would struggle to maintain the race in Australia’s second largest metropolis.

“It is a extremely sought-after occasion, however the Australian Grand Prix will not be going wherever so far as I am involved,” he informed Australian broadcaster 9 Community on Friday.

“We have a robust relationship with Method One, it has been constructed up over 1 / 4 of a century of belief.”

The race was run in Adelaide from 1985-1995 earlier than the Victoria state authorities did a take care of F1’s former industrial supremo Bernie Ecclestone to deliver it to Melbourne.

“We’re right here till 2025, however we are able to by no means be complacent, we must always by no means take our eye off the ball, as Adelaide confirmed within the Nineteen Nineties,” added Westacott.

“We need to maintain the occasion right here past 2025.”

Melbourne, which exited a near-three month lockdown on Friday, is scheduled to host the race in April, 2022.

Australia’s immigration minister mentioned this week international athletes not absolutely vaccinated for COVID-19 could be denied visas to enter the nation, elevating the prospect of high-profile withdrawals from the Australian Open tennis and different sports activities occasions.

Westacott mentioned it was unlikely to be problematic for the Grand Prix.

“I am assured F1 has a mannequin that’s primarily based on a 100% vaccination goal. For the time being I believe it is about 98 p.c throughout the travelling contingent as a result of they’ve truly seen that it is a sound technique for their very own enterprise continuity,” he added.