Martin Pakula mocks Dom Perrottet’s salty response after Melbourne’s F1 extension

The long-running rivalry between the two cities went to another level on Thursday as the Premier and an MP added the latest chapter.

Martin Pakula mocks Dom Perrottet

The Victorian Government today announced the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix would be remaining in Melbourne until 2035.

A 10-year extension on the current contract means despite the best efforts from those in New South Wales, the race will remain at Albert Park.

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NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet took the race speculation to new heights last year when he let his intentions to pinch the race be known and delivering a not-so-subtle jab at his Victorian counterparts.

“We’ve got the greatest cities in not just the country, but the world,” Perrottet said, referring to NSW.

“And seriously, why would the Formula One want to stay in Melbourne when you can come here?

“So we think we’re going to have a fighting chance to bring that event here, but it’s not just the Formula One, it’s major events right across the country and across the world that we’re going after.”

News of the contract extension didn’t sit too well with Perrottet.

“It’s a loss for the F1. That is all I can say,” he said. “It’s going to be a really disappointing event for years to come until it comes to its rightful place in Sydney.

“Formula 1 is a global event, and we are truly Australia’s only global city, so I think in time they will work that out. Good luck to Melbourne.”

The salty response added to the long-running Melbourne-Sydney feud and MP Martin Pakula ate up the sour grapes as he mocked Perrottet on Twitter by posting his remarks with the caption “hook it straight into my veins”.

Hook this straight into my veins pic.twitter.com/pJXm8VTqDx

— Martin Pakula (@MartinPakulaMP) June 16, 2022

Aussie driver Daniel Ricciardo was overjoyed with the news, responding to Formula 1’s tweet of the news with his happiness. “So good,” Ricciardo tweeted.

The current contract was set to expire in 2025, but will now go through until 2035 with Formula 2 and Formula 3 set to join the race-day events from next season.

“The race has always been a favourite for the fans, drivers and the teams and Melbourne is an incredible and vibrant international city that is a perfect match for our sport,” said F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.

“This year we saw huge crowds and passionate fans at the Grand Prix, and we are very excited by the future in Australia as our sport continues to grow.”

Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO Andrew Westacott was thrilled to be sharing the news to the racing world.

“This is a sensational announcement that is simply great for Melbourne and Victoria,” he said. “It builds on our rich motorsport history as well as Melbourne’s love of big sporting events and provides aspiration to the next generation of Aussie racing stars.

“We’re proud of our strong relationship with Formula 1 and together we will grow the sport in Australia and the broader Asia-Pacific region.”