Iconic Formula 1 circuit (for now) saved from demolition

Adelaide City Council has stopped the demolition of the 1.2km permanent section of the former Formula One street circuit for the time being. The circuit should make way for more green space in Victoria Park where the circuit is located.

Redesign of Victoria Park

The possible demolition of the permanent part of the circuit, including the Senna Chicane, is the result of plans to green and redesign Victoria Park. A large number of trees were to be planted. The plans to demolish the circuit were met with a lot of resistance and at a vote in the Adelaide City Council it was decided with one vote not to demolish the circuit (yet). However, it was decided to plant more greenery around the circuit.

"We all know that the Formula One Australian Grand Prix has put Adelaide on the world map in many ways," proponent Alexander Hyde told Motorsport.com. "This is of immense importance to the people of Adelaide and South Australia." Some councillors submitted a proposal to have the circuit included on Adelaide's heritage list. Various procedures will have to be completed before that happens.

Adelaide as Australian Grand Prix

The street circuit of Adelaide was on the Formula 1 calendar from 1985 till 1995. In 1985 it was also the first Australian Grand Prix which moved to Albert Park in 1996. Keke Rosberg won the first Grand Prix in Adelaide with his Williams. Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna and Gerhard Berger each won twice at Adelaide. Other winners included Thierry Boutsen, Damon Hill, Nigel Mansell and Nelson Piquet.