Formula One news
Drivers back Australian Grand Prix
14 March 2008F1 drivers have jumped to the defence of the Australian Grand Prix after the future of the event was called into question over a disagreement between organisers at Albert Park and Bernie Ecclestone over whether the event should become a night race.
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"Of course I would be disappointed if it left Australia," said local Mark Webber. "We started in Adelaide in '85, I think, and we've had a Grand Prix in this country ever since, so it's been a very very good run for us, to have the best drivers and teams to come down here for 22, 23 years or whatever it is, to compete. There are a lot of historic moments and special drivers that have come down here to race and we should really keep that in mind, and embrace it and try and work hard to try and continue to keep the event here, irrespective of whether there's an Australian on the grid or whatever."
"I think it's still good that we work hard to have it here," Webber added. "It's a long way from Europe and it's a long first flight for everybody to come in terms of logistics; it's a hard first race of the year in terms of spares and parts and stuff to get everything here but I think once everyone gets here and everyone gets settled in, I think the facilities for you guys, for the photographers and drivers and everyone, it's a very very good event. It's a safe city as well, that's always useful, because not all the cities that we go to are massively safe, so we can just go and relax and enjoy it. I think it's one of the best countries - of course, I'm from here - but I hope there's quite a few people that agree that it's one of the best countries to come to, to compete in, and I hope we can continue to keep coming here.
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Giancarlo Fisichella echoed Webber's comments, "I really like this country," said the Italian. "There is a fantastic atmosphere around the town. I've got great memories of Melbourne, first of all my first race in 1996 and my winning race in 2005, so I've got a great feeling from the circuit, with the atmosphere in the town. There are very good restaurants around, so it would be nice to keep coming here in the future."
Meanwhile a very smiley Heikki Kovalainen also backed the long treck to Australia, "For me it's great, coming from Finland, I get a bit of sun tan over here at this time of the year. Otherwise I don't mind where they start the season but this is a great country. I've always loved to come to Australia, so I hope we keep the race in Australia. Whether it's at the start of the season or at the end of the season is no big deal to me."
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