Everso Biggyballies wrote: ↑2 years ago
Government commitment assures 2022 Australian GP green light
Yay for good news re the AGP this year. It seems despite the ongoing crisis in pandemic land the event has been given the Govt green light to go ahead to happen pretty well regardless.
Dont you love how all the rules and restrictions of past years suddenly evaporate in election year! 
We have not of course had a GP here for two years now..... On both occasions, the event’s fate was tied to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For this year, however, there is a desire from both local government and the sport itself to see Australia return to the calendar. Plus the word is no restrictions other than the need to be fully vaxxed and boosted if eligible to attend.
After all the controversy over Novax Jokerdik there will be no exemptions granted regardless.
Protocols remain in place in an effort to limit the transmission of the virus with requirements for entering the country mandating full vaccination or a medical exemption.
Organisers of the Australian Grand Prix have confirmed it will not be applying for exemptions for individuals.
“There’s a set of agreed protocols and processes, but it’s all predicated on two simple provisos; that the contingent is 100 percent vaccinated, there will not be any exemptions sought or issued,”
“They will then come into the country and operate in a manner that Formula 1 has consistently operated in.”
More re the Government and F1 commitment to the event....
“We’ve got a commitment from the Victorian Government, that the event’s going ahead,” AGP Corp. boss Andrew Westacott said
“We’ve got a commitment from Formula 1 that they’re coming here for Round 3.
“We’re selling tickets like hotcakes, and we’re 80 days away from the event.
“So everything is happening, everything is getting ready, and can’t wait to host the best drivers in the world, in new cars, on a new track.”
While considerations regarding the virus remains, organisers are anticipating a ‘normal’ event.
That includes free movement around the precinct, with areas set up celebrating different regions of Victoria as part of an expanded off-track offering.
“But having said that, what I say is we’ll be anything but normal – we’re going to have all new cars on track, we’ve got new entertainment and music across the four days,” Westacott explained.
“There will be the need for everyone to be vigilant from a safety point of view and for attendees to be 100 percent vaxed, but we’re in a massive park, it’s predominantly outdoors, and we’ve been starved for major events.
“So we’re working with the government to make sure that everything we do allows us to have maximum crowds.”
With ticket sales forcing the addition of new grandstands, Westacott confirmed that the prospect of running this year’s grand prix behind closed doors has not even been considered.
“I am not even contemplating that,” he said when asked of the chance the race could be held behind closed doors amid another outbreak.
“I think Australia has moved on from that, and I think Victoria has moved on from that.
“You look at the current rates of cases and so on, I think we’re beyond doing those sorts of things behind closed doors.
“There’s been no evidence of any event throughout the country where you’re having to do that without crowds,” he added.
“That’s not even on our radar, it’s not even been discussed, whereas last year, and the year before, that was often the norm.
“That’s not even a consideration at the moment and I don’t think ever will be.”
In the unlikely event the grand prix is cancelled, or runs behind closed doors, fans would be assured of a full refund.
“They always have the safeguard that, because we’re a government underwritten event, that, if God forbid, anything did happen, they get their money back,” Westacott confirmed.
Supercars will again be part of the support programme along with Carrera Cup Australia, and S5000. Not sure what else at this stage.
I wont go to the race but I might go on Friday for practice, just to see the new cars. Race I will be at home in front of the big screen rather than out there with 100,000+ others. Unless someone invites me to a Corporate box, which hasnt happened for a few years so not hopeful on that score.
Lets just hope it doesnt all go tits up .... it seems the only likleyhood of that would be some huge outbreak within the F1 bubble and that hasnt happened yet. F1 seems to have it all under control.
At least this time it's also a sport 
