The New South Wales government has reportedly started preparing a proposal to host the Formula 1 Grand Prix one day.
Melbourne has been the Aussie epicentre for the annual event since 1996 and the city is very proud to have people from all over the world come to visit.
The Victorian government has cancelled both the 2020 and 2021 Grand Prix's due to the coronavirus pandemic and the city's contract with the F1 will expire after 2025.
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Channel 7 reports the Perrottet government has started 'sensitive high-level talks' to see if they could steal the F1 from Melbourne's grubby little mitts.
The rumours suggest NSW would pitch Sydney as a Monaco-style race location that could see Formula 1 cars race around the Harbour.
While zooming on the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge has been ruled out due to safety issues, 7News says the track could go through other hotspots like The Rocks an Barangaroo.
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The state government has already set aside a whopping $200 million purse for securing 'major events' and that could certainly include the Formula 1 Grand Prix.
When the budget was announced earlier this year, then-Treasurer and now Premier Dominic Perrottet said he had a vision for Sydney as it comes out of lockdown.
"As we push through the pandemic, we are working to make sure Sydney and NSW continue to shine, businesses stay in business and people return to our amazing Harbour City to support the rebounding economy," he revealed.
This isn't the first or even the second time New South Wales has tried to pinch the event from Melbourne and you can rest assured Victoria will be fighting to get that contract renewed after 2025.
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Australian Formula One Grand Prix chief Andrew Westacott said they won't be going down without a fight to ensure Melbourne remains F1 territory.
"There are always bids, and always forays from major events ministers and offices in various countries and cities around the world - they would not be doing their job if they were not reviewing their options," he said.
"You can't take your eye off the ball and you can't be complacent in the world of major events. We are not complacent.
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"It will be three years between events when April comes around, so our job is to make sure that everyone gets behind the event and it shows it's worth for the Victorian visitor economy.
"We are very close with F1 and have a relationship that goes back decades. We have a relationship that will see us host the event here until 2025, and we want to look to the future as well.
"We are happening next year and it will continue to happen. Our remit is to look beyond 2025."
Featured Image Credit: Sydney Low/CSM/Sipa USATopics: Australia