As a rift between Bernie Ecclestone and organisers of the grand prix in Melbourne threatens to widen, rival Australian state Queensland could be shaping up to bid for the annual formula one race.
The event, staged at Albert Park since 1996, is in doubt after F1 supremo Ecclestone warned that only night racing might attract a new contract beyond 2010.
Queensland’s famous Gold Coast region had already expressed interest in wooing F1 organisers with tentative plans for a $650m floodlit circuit emerging last month.
Now, in the newspaper Gold Coast Bulletin, the local tourism boss Pavan Bhatia says he has written to his state counterparts to explore the formula one option.
“If there is an opportunity there for us, I believe we need to go for it,” he said.
The state government’s premier Peter Beattie, however, warned that the priority for Queensland should be the domestic V8 touring car series and the annual Champ Car race, which is held on the streets of the Gold Coast.
But Beattie added: “Let’s see. I never say no to anything but I have to say it would have to be a good story.”
