Australia speaks out against a night race!

The organizers of the Australian Grand Prix say they are not ready to host a race that would take place at night, despite the risk of being dropped from the official calendar hovering over the event.

The F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, however, stated over the weekend that the future of this Australian event would be in jeopardy if the race did not align with the broadcasting schedule of European countries, meaning early afternoon.

« To continue considering Melbourne as an F1 city, we should have a night race. That would be the only solution, » he had said to the Australian newspaper The Sunday Telegraph.

The Minister of Tourism, Mr. Tim Holding, however, stated that he does not plan a night race and said that Ecclestone approved this decision.

« We do not want to miss the opportunity to host this race, but we do not want to pay anything at any cost, » said the Minister to the newspaper The Age.

« We must therefore find a balance. We have made it clear that we will not organize a night race and Mr. Ecclestone specified that he accepted this decision and actually supported it! »

Australia has hosted a Formula 1 race for 23 years and has signed a contract to host a Grand Prix until 2010.