The organisers of the Australian Grand Prix say they’re raring to go as they takeover the coveted opening season slot.
With the Bahrain GP officially being postponed due to unrest in the country, the race around the streets of Albert Park in Melbourne will be the setting for the 2011 season opener, taking one of two prime slots on the calendar – the other being the finale.
The Australian Grand Prix Corporation chief executive Andrew Westacott admitted the cause of Bahrain’s cancellation was a sad one, but he also admitted it was good news for Melbourne as they’d see “an even stronger international television audience,” because of the global interest in the opening race.
“It’s terribly sad for Bahrain and I can empathise with them from an organisers perspective, but from a Melbourne point of view it’s all systems go for 4½-weeks time,” Westacott told theage.com.au.
He also said he and his team were prepared for the extra work involved in holding the first race of the year.
“There is added work – being the first race of the season – because of the extra attendance from the international media and broader numbers of team members who attend the first race,” he added.
The Australian GP will take place on March 27th at the Albert Park Circuit.
