- Australian GP
Melbourne secures Australian GP until 2020
Melbourne will continue to host the Australian Grand Prix until at least 2020 after organisers agreed a new deal for the race.
After a year of negotiations a new contract from 2016-2020 was signed with Formula One Management in London last week to keep the venue on the calendar. State Premier Denis Napthine confirmed the deal had been struck, which includes the right for Australia to remain as the season opener.
"This is a terrific announcement that reaffirms Melbourne and Victoria as the sporting and events capital of the world," he told the 3AW radio station. "We've secured another five-year deal for the grand prix and we've secured a great deal for the people of Victoria that's a better deal than the existing deal.
"The new deal is on the same terms as the existing contract in that it will be the first race of the season, it will be in March each year."
In recent years Ecclestone has threatened to axe the race, but in a press release he was supportive of the event.
"I congratulate Melbourne for the excellent way in which it presents Formula One to the world."
Formula One has been racing in Melbourne since 1996 when the circuit took over the Australian Grand Prix from Adelaide.
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