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AUSTRALIA RETAINS F1 ‘POLE POSITION’

Australian Grand Prix retains pole position - Photo: LAT

By Bruce Williams

Australian Grand Prix retains pole position - Photo: LAT

Australian Grand Prix retains pole position – Photo: LAT

Australia is again set to open the Formula 1 season next year, with organisers confirming the provisional date.

By MARK FOGARTY

As predicted by AUTO ACTION last week, the 2020 Australian Grand Prix is scheduled for March 15, subject to the final approval of the FIA.

The 25th running of the Australian GP at the Albert Park street circuit in Melbourne will again be backed by Swiss prestige watch maker Rolex, returning as title sponsor for the eighth year in a row.

Retaining Melbourne’s traditional ‘pole position’ as the F1 season-opener, the AGP event from March 12-15 will also feature the second round of the Supercars championship.

The proposed scheduling also keeps the twilight Melbourne GP on the weekend before the start of the AFL premiership season.

The 2020 F1 calendar is due to be formally ratified by the FIA World Motor Sport Council in October.

But as F1 juggles new races in Vietnam and Holland with renewals of the British and Spanish GPs, series chief Chase Carey confirmed the plan to start in Melbourne as usual.

“We are pleased to announce that, as has been the case for many years now, the next FIA Formula 1 World Championship season will get underway in Melbourne,” Carey said. “The Albert Park circuit is one of the most popular venues on the calendar, much appreciated by everyone who works in Formula 1.

“The enthusiastic reception from the Australian fans makes this round really unique and special. There can be no better place to start the 2020 season, which will be significant as the sport will celebrate its 70th anniversary.

“We are also pleased that Rolex, who have been one of our Global Partners for many years, will continue to be the title sponsor of the 2020 Australian Grand Prix.”

Victoria’s Acting Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Adem Somyurek proclaimed that the state government-backed AGP delivered enormous benefits.

“Melbourne is the sports and major events capital of Australia, and proud home of the Grand Prix [since 1996],” Somyurek said. “The four days at Albert Park drew 324,100 people through the gates in March, up 10 per cent on 2018.

“It’s fantastic that we will once again take pole position in 2020.”

Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO Andrew Westacott is excited that next year’s season-opener will be the 25th Formula 1 race in Melbourne.

“As they said back in 1996, ‘Melbourne – what a great place for the race!’,” Westacott said. “We have the largest on-track program of any Formula 1 event in the world, and combined with the amount and quality of off-track entertainment, there’s something for all and it’s an event that simply must be experienced.

“The date confirmation provides the opportunity for interstate and overseas visitors to plan a lengthy stay in Victoria.”

Corporate hospitality tickets for the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2020 will be on sale from this Tuesday, July 9, with Grandstand seats on sale soon.

To purchase tickets, go to www.grandprix.com.au

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