Supercars to race for points at AGP

The Supercars are set to become more than just an exhibition undercard at the Australian Grand Prix from 2018, with stakeholders revealing the local category will now race for points.

The Australian Grand Prix Corporation has confirmed the Albert Park fixture will become a formal points-scoring round for Supercars as part of a new six-year deal that will see the series race on Melbourne’s streets until 2023.

In a win for common sense, the move will mark the first time since 1996 that Supercars will visit in a championship capacity. The agreement follow’s Liberty Media’s acquisition of Formula 1’s commercial rights last year.

Australian Grand Prix Corporation chief executive Andrew Westacott expected the Supercars approval to boost crowd attendance at the Melbourne event.

“We continually listen to our fans and there has been a strong appetite for a Supercars Championship round, so we see the partnership as a highly beneficial one and we are excited to bring this opportunity to fruition,” Westacott said.

Supercars chief executive James Warburton lauded the decision, without revealing what format the Supercars races will follow.

In previous years, Supercars has held four 30-minute exhibition sprint races on each day of the event. The strict time windows will likely continue to be enforced under Formula 1’s international broadcasting.

“This fantastic opportunity to host championship races at the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit will further showcase Supercars on the world-stage,” Warburton said.

“A championship round and the six-year contract extension through to 2023 will be warmly received by our fans and add a new dimension to the event.”

Dates for the 2018 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix will be confirmed in the coming months.