Formula-1

Aussie GP bows to start pressure

Walker hopes the future of the Australian Grand Prix is now secure Australian Grand Prix organisers have devised a compromise plan after demands from Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone to stage the race at night. Ecclestone has been pushing for the timing of the season curtain-raiser to be moved in the interest of European television viewers.

Organisers initially resisted the move, citing cost concerns. But the start has now been pushed back 90 minutes to 3.30pm local time, which is 0430 GMT. Officials say if it is successful in increasing television ratings they will push the start back another 90 minutes to 5pm (0600 GMT) for 2009.

Australian Grand Prix Corporation chairman Ron Walker told a news conference: "That will mean a 7.00 am start time for the television coverage in mainland Europe, finishing at about 8.40 am.

"There will be an afternoon start and finish across the Asian continent where there are potentially hundreds of millions of viewers.

"All this can be achieved without any additional infrastructure costs."

"The only way the race could stay in Melbourne, or anywhere else in Australia, is if it is staged during the night so that the public in Europe can watch it," Ecclestone was quoted as saying.

"At the moment it is ridiculous that people are asked not to sleep in order to see it live. That can't carry on. The alternative is to pull the race completely from Australia.

The Australian Grand Prix has been on the calendar since 1985, moving from Adelaide to Melbourne in 1996.