Qantas, Australia’s national airline, will again be the title sponsor of the Australian Grand Prix in 2011. The deal extends the airline’s longstanding association with the race, held on a temporary circuit in Melbourne’s Albert Park each March.

“Qantas has been associated with the Australian Grand Prix for 25 years,” said the company’s chief executive, Alan Joyce, “and we are especially looking forward to next year’s event with Qantas as the premier partner. As a committed supporter of Australian sport, we are delighted to be continuing our active involvement in one of the highlights of the national major events calendar.”

Andrew Westacott, the Australian Grand Prix’s acting chief executive, added: “Qantas is a truly global brand, the airline’s exceptional international flight paths place Melbourne and the Formula One Qantas Australian Grand Prix on an international stage, reaching new international tourism markets. The continued partnership with Qantas is testament to the high quality international sporting event delivered at Albert Park.”

The announcement gives a much-needed boost to the event, amidst reports that the race was in doubt for 2011. According to Autosport, a financial dispute between the Australian Grand Prix Corporation and CAMS, the sanctioning body for motorsport in Australia, may result in CAMS requesting that the race be cancelled. The Australian Grand Prix Corporation has been looking for ways to cut its costs amidst widespread public and political criticism of the cost to Victorian taxpayers of staging the race each year.

Assuming the current dispute is resolved before the FIA, world motorsport’s governing body, ratifies the calendar on 19th November, the 2011 Melbourne race is schedule for Sunday 27th March. It will be the second race of the 2011 world championship.

Source: SportsPro