Sydney authorities on Saturday laid out plans to lure the Australian GP from “arrogant” Melbourne, sparking a spat between the rival cities. Sydney-based New South Wales state government said initial costings were already underway for hosting a night race, most likely at 2000 Olympic site Homebush, from 2015.
“I've already started to make contact with the F1 promoters, we're already having a good look at the facilities and infrastructure that we have available for such an event,” said major events minister Ian MacDonald.
“They can rest assured down in Melbourne that they're going to have a hard time, they haven't got this event to themselves.
“They're complacent, they're somewhat arrogant and we believe we can offer a night grand prix, which is something the promoters we know need to service their European viewership.”
His Melbourne counterpart Tim Holding responded angrily to the announcement, calling the New South Wales authority “the nation’s biggest blowhards”.
Melbourne has hosted the Australian GPrix since taking over from Adelaide in 1996, but the event has come into question due to its high cost to local taxpayers.