The city of Melbourne sponsors the Australian Grand Prix
We remember the controversy at the beginning of the year when the mayor of Melbourne claimed that the F1 race was too expensive for his city. It seems he has backtracked on his statements, as the city is set to become the sponsor of the event for the next three years.
The city’s financial effort includes two components: an annual payment of $111,460 as well as the “donation” of $60,000 to use the public space for free (the circuit is located in the heart of Albert Park public park). Over three years, the city’s financial effort thus amounts to half a million dollars, which will certainly spark anger among a population for whom the last Grand Prix resulted in a deficit of 50 million Australian dollars.
This clearly goes against what Robert Doyle stated last January when he considered the future of the race beyond its current contract (which ends in 2015): « The fourth and last possibility must be addressed. I know that no city has voluntarily withdrawn from a Grand Prix, but could Melbourne be the first? My opinion is: “Be ready. The time has come.”»
Today, he declared to the Herald Sun: “As long as the event is here in Melbourne, I will support the event and the city supports events within the city of Melbourne that promote tourism in Melbourne.”
One can therefore clearly wonder what interest the mayor had in igniting the situation, especially since the airline Qantas had already recommitted as the title sponsor of the event, ensuring a significant financial return. Perhaps Melbourne will join Chicago as the “Windy City” due to the changing opinions of its political leaders…
With the participation of RacingBusiness.fr
