A major redevelopment of Melbourne’s Calder Park Raceway is taking place, but owner Bob Jane has played down reports the track could be an alternative host for the Australian grand prix.

The plans involve Calder upgrading to FIA standard with some state government backing, sparking rumours the Australian grand prix may no longer be held on the public roads around Albert Park.

“As far as I am concerned, Albert Park is the best venue for the grand prix and I have no plans to have formula one racing out here,” Jane, a former touring car driver and now owner of a popular chain of tyre outlets, is quoted by the Brimbank Leader.

Jane organised non-championship F1 races at Calder Park between 1980 and 1984, before the world championship moved to Adelaide and subsequently Melbourne.

Lewis Hamilton has been charged over his high profile reckless driving antics during the Australian GP weekend.

Hamilton was charged with intentionally losing control of the vehicle in a summons served on his Australian solicitor last Monday. A Victoria Police spokeswoman confirmed that a summons had been served on a 25-year-old Swiss resident.

The matter has been set to be heard in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on August 24.

Hamilton had his complimentary Mercedes impounded under Victoria’s hoon laws on March 26 after he was allegedly caught doing a burnout at the entrance to Albert Park circuit.

It is unknown whether Hamilton will appear in court, with the Belgian GP weekend starting on August 27.

Hamilton apologised at the time, “This evening, I was driving in an over-exuberant manner and, as a result, was stopped by the police. What I did was silly, and I want to apologise for it.”

(yallaF1.com)

YF1. Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo has echoed the sentiments of his star driver Fernando Alonso by urging his team and the tifosi to remain realistic ahead of the Australian GP.

The Ferrari boss said, “We need some great humility in this race. We know that we have to work and there is still lots to be improved, such as performance and reliability: it’s important to stay realistic.”

Expectations are high, especially in Italy where victory in Bahrain has set the tone for the forthcoming season. Managing these expectations are obviously high on the team’s PR agenda.

Di Montezemolo added, “In Melbourne it will be fundamental to have a good qualifying on Saturday, because as usual on city circuits, also here in Australia to start from the front will determine the final outcome.”

Earlier in the week Alonso said, “The one-two win in Sakhir gave us confidence and was a great result for the hard work during the winter on the track and at the works, but we can’t take anything for granted. We have to stay with our feet on the ground, keeping calm and staying concentrated: in Melbourne we’re starting from square one.”

Alonso and his boss are obviously on the same page…