Grass greener for banished Bernard
Supercars get Albert Park point across
SUPERCARS’ push for championship status at the Australian Formula One Grand Prix has finally been rewarded.
The Australian Grand Prix Corporation is expected to announce today the popular support category will race for championship points next year at Albert Park. An extension to the Supercars deal is also expected to be confirmed.
The series has waged a long campaign to have the Albert Park races count towards the championship standings rather than continue as demonstration events.
Supercars chief James Warburton last year warned the drivers could walk away from Albert Park when the current deal expires in 2018 if its bid for championship status for the races was unsuccessful.
Supercars had hoped Formula One’s new owner, Liberty Media, would be more open to its push.
Supercars would not comment on the announcement yesterday, but Warburton said in March the category wanted to get more out of the GP.
“We love being there at the event and if we can race in a more meaningful way, we would love to,’” he said.
“Certainly, from an Australian point of view, it would be a good addition (to race for points) and that’s at the core of everything we hear and we read from Liberty Media – that they are really about making sure these things are events.
“There seems to be no reason why that wouldn’t be the case. Obviously it’s up to the Australian Grand Prix Corporation and (chief executive) Andrew Westacott and his team to pave the way. But certainly there is no impediments in the way to that happening in the future.’’
Supercars have been a fixture at the Grand Prix since it began at Albert Park and remain one of the popular attractions for fans. They have never raced there for points.
Westacott said earlier this year the Grand Prix would be enhanced by having Supercars racing for points.