SYDNEY — Formula One ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone said Tuesday he would happily sign a contract for Melbourne to host the Grand Prix for 50 years, declaring "everybody loves Australia". The sport has a contract with Melbourne until 2015 but beyond that it is up in the air, and other cities have expressed interest in snapping up the event which Ecclestone has previously said is the "least viable" on the F1 calendar. Ecclestone said he hoped to travel to Melbourne for the season-opening 2013 race on March 17, in a year in which negotiations on a new contract are set to begin. "Everybody loves Australia, loves Australian people and it's good to be there because it's the first race, it's nice, it's relaxed," he said in an official Australian Grand Prix podcast. "We hope we're going to be in Melbourne forever. We're happy with Melbourne. I'd be happy to sign a 50-year contract. So we don't have a problem with Melbourne." Ecclestone revealed that other Australian states had contacted him in attempts to poach the event from Victoria, but he indicated he was determined to keep the race in the southern state's capital. "We get proposals from other parts, but we're happy in Melbourne," he said. Ahead of the 2012 race Ecclestone floated the idea of a "divorce from our friends in Melbourne" and "walking away from Australia" when the contract expires. "The race itself, from our point of view, is probably the least viable of all the races we have," he said then. Ecclestone also said last year he was keen on a night race, which would fit better with European timezones, helping to sell TV rights there. Such a move would likely be opposed by residents who live around Melbourne's Albert Park circuit, as well as costing the Victorian state government more to stage. Last year's race cost taxpayers Aus$56.7 million (US$58.2 million) — more than the revenue it generates — with Aus$30 million of that reportedly going to Ecclestone for the right to host the race. Ecclestone said the fee was "purely what the race cost" and included bringing six jumbo jets full of freight transportation to Australia. Melbourne has hosted the Grand Prix since 1996. Senna's gloves auctioned for $33,200 A pair of regular racing gloves worn by the late Ayrton Senna in the 1991 season when he won his third Formula One title sold for 22,000 pounds ($33,200) at a charity auction for Grand Prix mechanics Monday. The framed gloves, donated by former McLaren team co-ordinator Jo Ramirez who was a friend and colleague, were bought by Gerard Lopez — owner of the current Lotus team that traces its lineage back to the Toleman outfit that the Brazilian made his F1 debut with in 1984. Senna also raced for Lotus, related only by name to the present team, from 1985-87. The 11 lots in the auction at London's Royal Opera House raised more than 92,000 pounds for the Grand Prix Mechanics Charitable Trust, chaired by triple champion Jackie Stewart. Former F1 champions Niki Lauda, Damon Hill and his late father Graham — represented by his racing grandson Josh who is moving up through the junior series — were inducted into the Motor Sport magazine Hall of Fame. Also inducted were the late Team Lotus founder Colin Chapman, represented by son Clive, and Denmark's eight times Le Mans 24 Hours winner Tom Kristensen. — Agencies
