Australian Government Deny Alternative Track

The Australian officials have played down rumors that they are considering a change in location for hosting the Aussie GP in the years to come. Although admitting the feasibility study revealed by trucking company Linfox, the premier of the Victorian state government John Brumby insisted that Albert Park will remain the host of the Australian race until its final year of contract, 2015.

“I saw the speculation about it but I think the GP itself, they're pretty happy with where they are so I don't think it has gone any further than that (feasibility study),” said Brumby in an interview for Australian publication Geelong Advertiser.

A few days ago, Linfox' director Andrew Fox revealed that his company is looking to plan the building of an alternative venue to host the Formula 1 opener near Melbourne. The justification for building a brand new $200 million track just outside the Victorian city is that it could bring a significant reduction in costs for setting up the annual F1 event.

Under its current form – at Albert Park – the costs for preparing and organizing the Australian Grand Prix have turned the race into a loss-making event for the government. According to the latest figures revealed by the media, the losses recorded by the Australian Grand Prix last year were $16 million worth, expected to reach a blowout $40 million this year.

With the economic crisis taking its toll on all motor racing activities worldwide, it may sound rather curious why the Victorian government refuses to think of their taxpayers rather than on the landscape of their F1 race. Considering they'll keep pumping money in their Grand Prix in the upcoming 7 years, they might reconsider the alternative-track idea in the seasons to come.