RACE and Supercars chairman Barclay Nettlefold has left no doubt about the value he believes the championship can bring to future Formula 1 Australian Grands Prix.
There’s been a rolling debate as to whether Supercars and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation should renew the V8 category’s presence at the event, given the 2024 edition was the last year on the existing deal.
Nettlefold, a chief protagonist of the push to get Supercars at more F1 events, is not holding back when it comes to Supercars’ place at Albert Park.
“I think there’s no question that Supercars is DNA of motorsport in Australia and the fanbase wants us here, the AGPC certainly want us here, F1 loves what we bring to the scheduling and the racing,” he told V8 Sleuth.
“I really believe with the new cars, with the work we have done over the summer, we have got a proven product now that’s door-to-door and exciting.”
Initial indications are that if Supercars does feature at the 2025 AGP, its paddock might be moved again – but now perhaps to the outfield so that access can be given to fans.
“We have got such a big community. We are the fourth biggest sport in the country: that’s Supercars, not motorsport,” said Nettlefold.
“So we have a huge fanbase and following and we’re seeing it out there (on the weekend) with Porsche access to the fans – it’s packed because they can’t get in here.
“If we can create an environment (like that), that would be unbelievable.”
A record-breaking crowd of 452,055 attended Albert Park across last Thursday to Sunday.
Nettlefold meanwhile is understood to have voiced a desire to have a 14-round Supercars calendar next year.
