Australian GP 'secured'

Ecclestone agrees to Melbourne time switch

Last updated: 4th July 2008

Australian GP 2008 line-up

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The Australian Grand Prix will remain at Albert Park in Melbourne until at least 2015 after the Government agreed to delay the start of the race.

The race had been in danger of being dropped from the Formula One roster because the traditional early afternoon start time held down the number of people viewing it worldwide.

However, supremo Bernie Ecclestone is now satisfied with the scheduled 5pm start although no artifical lighting will be used for the term of the contract.

"I have wanted changes to the local race time so that we can increase the television audience in Europe and Asia," Ecclestone said in a statement.

"I'm satisfied that the decision to move to (a) later start time for 2009 is a win for television audiences in Europe and Asia, a win for Melbourne and a win for Formula One as a whole."

The Premier of Victoria John Brumby said the news was vitally important in maintaining Melbourne's major events strategy.

"The Grand Prix has been an outstanding event for Victoria over a long period of time and has helped put Melbourne on a global stage. Retaining the event is important to Victoria's ongoing growth and prosperity," he said.

"Our year-round calendar of sporting and cultural events draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to our wonderful city every year.

"The massive television exposure that Melbourne receives year in, year out has helped build our worldwide reputation as a great place to visit and a great place to live.

"Next year's later start time will mean even greater TV audiences in the United Kingdom, Asia and European markets which means more exposure for brand 'Melbourne' than ever before."