- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
The spluttering Australian Formula One Grand Prix has roared back into the public consciousness.
A heart-stopping race, won by British world champion Jenson Button, the highest crowd figures in years and an end to the trepidation about new rules combined to re-invigorate the event.
The incident-packed race also delivered a body blow to Sydney’s slim hopes of stealing the grand prix after the Melbourne contract ends in 2015.
Following years of criticism about mounting losses and falling crowds, Sunday’s race delivered a clear rebuff to the critics.
And it came amid difficult circumstances – a clash with the opening round of the AFL season and as the second race of the year following the season-opener in Bahrain.
A triumphant Victorian premier John Brumby declared the event worth every cent as organisers boasted of a big boost in crowd numbers.
Despite the threat of wet weather the race attracted 108,500 people on Sunday and a combined total over the four days of 305,000 – the highest figures since 2005.
If the numbers continue they are likely to encourage Government backing beyond the term of the contract.
Sydney says it is determined to annex the race but it’s declaration is ambitious.
There are no costing estimates available and no track planned.
Mark Webber has already said firmly the race should stay at Albert Park.
For Formula One, the Melbourne event was the perfect tonic after the tedious race in Bahrain which had the sport fearful of losing fans and viewers across the globe.
Melbourne was everything that Bahrain was not, a total contrast which has F1 breathing a massive sigh of relief.
Button said he could see from the giant TV screens around the track that the race was exciting from the start (apparently drivers can catch up on the action on television while driving at 300 km/h).
And he said he was happy there was no knee-jerk reaction to the first race which was soporific and slumberous.
“I don’t thing there’s any getting away from the fact that we all thought the last race was not the most exciting – and what were we going to do about it now,” Button said.
“But I’m glad that we haven’t really jumped to too many conclusions or ideas because I think this race was a great race.
“I had a lot of fun – obviously when you win the race you have more fun that any other position – but overtaking cars on the circuit and watching on the screen with a lot of action going on, it’s great,” he said.
Looking for great odds on racing and sport? Get into the action with PlayUp today. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.