Jul.23 (GMM) Melbourne will no longer host the opening round of the formula one season after refusing to run the Australian grand prix at night in future.
Instead, Bahrain will kick off the 2008 calendar, with the Albert Park event following it in mid-March, Australian organisers revealed on Monday.
"Bahrain will stage the first race," a spokesman for the Australian Grand Prix Corporation said, confirming that the Melbourne event will however be started later than usual at 3.30pm.
The later time is a compromise after AGPC chairman Ron Walker refused to meet Bernie Ecclestone's demand for a race under floodlights to help bolster the early-morning TV audience in Europe.
Walker said of the rejected night race option: "Our investigations have convinced us that as things currently stand, the disadvantages outweigh the advantages."
Written: Mon, 23 Jul 2007 09:28:05
[ Print View ][ E-Mail Article ]
- April 02, 2009Trulli and Hamilton meeting Stewards
- March 25, 2009UpdateF1 Oz GP coverage
- March 23, 2009Diffuser showdown expected
- March 19, 2009Renault confirm KERS for Aus GP
- March 09, 2009Seven teams with Melbourne chance
- February 16, 2009Bushfires force Aus GP motto change
- July 04, 2008Melbourne signs new contract
- June 18, 2008Confusion over Melbourne GP
- June 17, 2008Cost the problem for Aussie GP
- June 15, 2008Melbourne looks secure
- (July 23, 2007)View all headlines from this date
