Sky Sports.com

Ecclestone: Standing firm

Related links

News

• Hamilton tops Down Under
• Kimi concern after P2
• Hamilton remains relaxed
• Alonso downplays rivalry
• Bourdais - Point would feel like win
• Kovalainen wants solid start
• Kimi keen on new car
• Hamilton gearing up for 2008
• Honda eye middle of the grid
• Dennis - I'm staying put
• Briatore - Hamilton's ego cost him
• Piquet under less pressure
• Australia offers later start
• Backing for Super Aguri
• 2008 rule changes
• 2008 - Team by team

Bernie Ecclestone has rejected a compromise proposal put forward by organisers of the Australian Grand Prix to stage next year's race in the early evening.

Formula One's commericial rights controller wants the race in Melbourne to be held at night under floodlights so it can attract a larger television audience across Europe.

In a bid to appease Ecclestone, Australian Grand Prix Corporation chairman Ron Walker suggested on Monday that the the 2009 race could start at 5pm local time, 6am GMT.

Sunday's season-opener will start at 3.30pm (4.30am GMT), some 90 minutes later than in previous years.

But, with Australia's contract due to expire in 2010 - and with no shortage of takers willing to fill their slot on the calendar - Ecclestone has ignored both the legal and logistical hurdles involved and stood firm.

"It needs to be a night race," he told the Sydney Morning Herald.

"It (Walker's plan) doesn't help a lot. That's not really what we're looking for.

"It would be nice if the race was on at midday or 2pm for European audiences, but I guess that would mean it starting in the middle of the night in Australia.

"Obviously, the later it is in Europe the better as far as I am concerned.

"I suppose it is easier getting up at 6am than 3am, so perhaps that's something, but not what we are really looking for."