03/04/2006
NEWS STORY
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Although some might deny it, having Bahrain host the opening race of the 2006 season F1 season was an inspired choice.
Since 1996, Melbourne has hosted the season opener, which is great for Australians, but bad for race fans in F1's European heartland. The early morning timing of the Australian event means that only diehard race fans get to see the first race of the season, when it is new fans that the sport desperately needs to attract.
Traditionally, the first race of a new season is the most important event for F1, as casual fans use this as the yardstick for the remainder of the year. Websites and the specialist F1 press will do their best business during the weekend of the season opener.
With Melbourne unable to host the 2006 season opener, due to the fact that it was already hosting the Commonwealth Games, the prestigious honour went to Bahrain. The fact that this year's season opener got underway in the early afternoon - in Europe - meant that casual as well as diehard race fans were able to tune into to the first race of a season in which so much has changed. Consequently, broadcasters were delighted, which means that sponsors, and potential sponsors, will also be happy.
However, speaking in Melbourne following yesterday's race, Victoria state Premier Steve Bracks told reporters that in 2007 it will be 'business as usual', and the Australian city will once again host the opening race of the season.
"It will revert to the first race in the future," he said.
He claims that Melbourne's right to host the first race of the season is a critical part of the contract the city has with Bernie Ecclestone.
"I was there with Ron Walker when the contract was renegotiated for 2010 with an option for a further five years after that," said Brack, "and one of the conditions was that it was the first race on the F1 calendar of the year."
Although Bernie is a very close friend of Walker, the Englishman has no time for sentimentality or tradition, and if the TV broadcast figures demonstrate that it would make better sense to begin the season in Bahrain, then Bahrain it will be.
Furthermore, despite what might be written into Melbourne's contract, Bernie Ecclestone has already said that the city's status as season opener is under threat as a result of the tobacco ban which is about to come into affect.
Talking to the Sydney Morning Herald last week, Ecclestone warned: "We've always relied on the fact that in Australia we can run with tobacco branding, but I understand that there may be some problems with that. If there's something in the contract that refers to tobacco advertising, obviously it's something to be worried about.
"We've got a contract with Australia and we'll have a look and see exactly what's what," he added.