SA rejected F1 Grand Prix offer amid Victorian Covid crisis

An offer for SA to host the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix in Victoria’s place was officially knocked back by the state government, it can be revealed.

South Australia rejected an offer to host the 2021 Australian Grand Prix as a plan B when Melbourne cancelled the event, it can be revealed.

The deal only fell over because Formula 1 owners insisted on bypassing the then 14-day quarantine period for all international arrivals to Australia, a key federal government measure to stop the spread of Covid-19.

The approach was made as F1 owners and the Victorian government squabbled over the race, prior to a July 2021 announcement that the November 18-21 event would not go ahead.

The Advertiser has seen a written offer of 2021 hosting rights to the SA government from Chase Carey, who at the time headed the Formula One Group which controls F1 races globally.

Fromer Premier Steven Marshall at Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide. Picture: Tom Huntley

An opposition spokesman on Thursday said the former state government’s hands were tied by federal government rules.

“At the time, 14 days’ quarantine for all international arrivals was being enforced by the federal government and it meant an F1 Grand Prix could not be hosted in any state across Australia,” the spokesman said.

Sam Shahin, owner of The Bend Motorsport Park where the 2021 event could have been held, said he was shocked by the revelation and knew nothing of the offer.

“I am so upset, I tried to get F1 back to Adelaide in 2021 and it now looks like I could have succeeded with an offer on the table,’’ he said.

“I had absolutely no idea that there were discussions with the government.

“I think we could have pulled it off – and what an incredible event it would have been.”

The Australian Formula One F1 Grand Prix in Adelaide in November 1994.

State government support is considered an essential first step in any plans for an F1 race.

A spokesman for the new Labor state government said it would reclaim Adelaide’s reputation as a city which hosts major motorsports events.

Supercars will return to CBD streets in December for the Adelaide 500.

“The Malinauskas Labor government wants to reclaim SA’s title as the home of motorsport by bringing back major motorsport events,’’ the spokesman said.

“We are not aware of the approach by F1 in 2021, however, it is unsurprising given Adelaide’s track record of hosting major motorsport events including the Grand Prix.”

In mid 2021, Victorian measures in the fight against Covid-19 were the strictest in Australia and its state government feared a backlash if race crews and drivers were allowed to bypass the rules.