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The Victorian Government has secured the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne until 2023, holding off apparent interest from the NSW Government in luring the race to Sydney.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews was joined by Victorian Minister Minister for Sport, Tourism and Major Events John Eren at Albert Park on Saturday (12th September) to make the announcement, with the new agreement set to take the city past 25 consecutive years of hosting Formula 1.

Commenting on Melbourne retaining the hosting rights, Minister Eren stated "our competitors interstate have made no secret of their desire to steal it, but it is here to stay.

“I can assure Victorians Daniel Ricciardo won’t be racing over the Sydney Harbour Bridge any time soon.”

Premier Andrews went on to taunt NSW Premier Mike Baird in a video posted on Facebook.

Holding a copy of the a front page from Sydney newspaper The Daily Telegraph in which the NSW Premier was quoted as wanting to secure the race from Melbourne, Premier Andrews stated "I'm sorry Mike but the Australian Formula One Grand Prix is here to stay exactly where it belongs, in the great city of Melbourne.

"The good news is that you and tens of thousands of others from New South Wales and right across Australia and indeed right across the world are more than welcome to come to Melbourne to be part of the great race.

"In fact I'll even shout you a ticket."

Given that last year the Victorian Government had secured rights to the Australian leg of the Formula One Championship, it remains in doubt as to whether a NSW bid for the F1 race was ever a serious proposition.

However, the Sydney media who backed an apparent plan for a new sport stadium in Moore Park were also enthusiastic about an apparent plan to have F1 cars racing across the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

However, it remains a possibility that the NSW Government could bid to stage an additional, potentially one-off, race in Sydney.

8th August 2015 - JOHN HARNDEN APPOINTED AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX CHAIRMAN

17th June 2015 - VICTORIAN PREMIER VOWS TO FIGHT FOR EVERY MAJOR EVENT ‘WORTH TAKING’

14th March 2015 - SYDNEY LOOKS TO STEAL MELBOURNE F1 GRAND PRIX

3rd August 2014 - AUSTRALIAN F1 GRAND PRIX TO STAY IN MELBOURNE UNTIL 2020 

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