THE future of the Repco Supercars Championship at the Australian Grand Prix is uncertain amid plans for a significant revamp of the Albert Park precinct.
The weekend marked the last in the current deal between Supercars and the event, which drew a record four-day crowd of 444,631 amid an explosion of interest in Formula 1.
A recent extension of the AGP’s F1 contract included the addition of Formula 2 and Formula 3 as support categories, which had a significant impact on Supercars.
It resulted in unfavourable scheduling and logistical changes for the Australian category, including its transporters being relocated to the outside of the circuit.
V8 Sleuth has learnt that major upgrades to the precinct are being planned as part of the Victorian Government’s long-term commitment to F1.
That includes improving the current Formula 1 facilities and adding a new pit building to house F2 and F3 that would replace the current Supercars garage area.
Visiting F2 and F3 teams were known to be unhappy with their paddock setup at this year’s event, located in marquees on the grass behind the Supercars garages.
While plans for the proposed upgrade could be signed off within weeks, Supercars has begun discussions with the Australian Grand Prix Corporation about its future at the event.
Supercars CEO Shane Howard told media at Albert Park that the category is eager to retain its presence at the Australian Grand Prix.
“We want to be here, it’s a big stage, an incredible event,” said Howard, who added that the current deal includes a two-year extension option.
“It’s just a phenomenon, Formula 1 at the moment, and the crowds that it’s generating and creating new interest in motorsport in general and we absolutely want to be part of that.
“I think the intent from AGP would be for us to continue and we look forward to those opportunities.”
That attitude though is not shared by all in the Supercars paddock, especially if the category no longer has its own pitlane.
Supercars has had a dedicated pitlane at Albert Park since 2011, enabling it to undertake pitstops that are a staple of every race in the championship.
“Without pitlane, I would not support Supercars being here,” team owner Matt Stone told V8 Sleuth.
“You’re just doing demonstration laps without pitstops; it’s such a core part of our racing.”
Others believe the commercial importance of the event outweighs the compromises associated with it.
Supercars receives a significant sanction fee for appearing at Albert Park, while it’s an important meeting for many sponsors and enjoys free-to-air television coverage.
“We need to be here,” Triple Eight boss Jamie Whincup told V8 Sleuth.
“It’s a really important round for us, the best part of 500,000 people here over the last four days and a different crowd as well, a Formula 1 crowd.
“For me, it’s so critical. We’ll come here, no matter what the conditions.
“Of course, the pitlane is important to what we do. Without pitstops, the spectacle wouldn’t be as good.
“How we ran this weekend, the trucks aren’t behind the garage, but it doesn’t matter.
“It’s inconvenient for us to be walking a kilometre to our truck and back but we don’t care, what’s most important is that we are here racing.”
Erebus Motorsport boss Barry Ryan meanwhile hopes Supercars can work with the event on improving scheduling to avoid more races running to a time certain finish.
“We’ve just got to work with them a bit closer,” said Ryan.
“It’d be good to have another 10 minutes either side (in the schedule) to get our races run in full, but you’ve got to be on this stage.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s a five-lap race, it’s still a race. Probably two of our best races were five-lap green races.
“You can still have good sprint races (without pitstops). I think we need to be here no matter what.”
Albert Park is one of just two Victorian venues currently on the Supercars Championship calendar, with the other being the perennially endangered Sandown.
