Adelaide to explore F1 Grand Prix return

Adelaide will ask the South Australian State Government to investigate the viability of a return of Grand Prix racing to the city.

A report yesterday by the Adelaide Advertiser is alleging that the City Council is encouraging South Australia's Tourism minister Leon Bignell to conduct a study on the feasibility of hosting a round of the F1 world championship.

The city showcased F1 from 1985, when Australia first appeared on the F1 calendar, to 1995 when Melbourne took over the rights to host the race.

"There’s a certain nostalgia that the Grand Prix brings and I think everyone in the room is old enough to remember the halcyon days, so I’m glad that the council will write to the State Government and at least indicate that we’d like this explored," councilor Alex Antic told the Advertiser.

"We’d just like to see the State Government take the steps to see if it is viable and whether a pitch could be made."

Unfortunately, Bignell doesn't appear all that keen on the idea of F1 moving up the southern coast given Adelaide's financial constraints.

"These are the most infuriating people in South Australia, this city council," he told the Advertiser.

"If they want the Grand Prix, how about they put in some money so we can get the grandstands up a bit quicker, which will make their ratepayers happy.

"Let’s have a look at Bathurst — their council put in $6 million in the Bathurst race. These clowns put in $50,000 and charge us $100,000.

"They are big on complaining but not putting their hands in their pockets to help their ratepayers. We’re not interested in [the Grand Prix]."

Melbourne's current race contract with Formula 1 expires after the 2023 event.

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