Australian F1 Grand Prix to be held in the evening starting next year

July 7, 2008 by Terence

For the next seven years, the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix will be a twilight race, the state government announced. Premier John Brumby said the government had agreed to push back the start time of the race to 5pm to secure the event until 2015.

The race would be held at the new time slot beginning from next year and an agreement had been reached not to use any artificial lighting for the term of the contract.

The new schedule will suit greater TV audiences in the United Kingdom, Asian and European markets, and also means more exposure for the city of Melbourne which has been in danger of being axed at the expiry of the Albert Park contract in 2010 as Formula One Management president Bernie Ecclestone chased more lucrative deals offshore.

Formula One Management president Bernie Ecclestone said in a statement that he was delighted that the Grand Prix was continuing in Melbourne. “I have wanted changes to the local race time so that we can increase the television audience in Europe and Asia,” he said.

Source: Bernama

Posted in Formula 1, International News