V8 Supercars Race At Australian F1 Grand Prix To Gain Championship Status

The V8 Supercars support races at the Australian Grand Prix "are set to gain championship status next year and retain the elevated importance during the Albert Park event’s new five-year deal," according to Mark Fogarty of THE AGE. Following the renewal of the F1 race from '16-20, Australian Grand Prix and V8 officials "are stepping up efforts to make the V8 races part of the 2015 title series in anticipation of a longer agreement."

But just as upgrading the V8s from their long-standing exhibition status "is feasible because they are being shown on the same TV network" as F1 from next year, continuing to race for championship points at Albert Park during the new agreement "will depend on which network secures" the F1 broadcast rights from '16. Preliminary talks with rights holder Formula One Management "have already started, with Ten believed to be pitching for a renewal in a V8-style combined bid with Fox Sports."

Nine and Seven "are also thought to have expressed interest" in the F1 rights, especially with Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo "emerging as a future world title contender" THE AGE