Ecclestone pushes for Aussie GP at night

MELBOURNE: Formula One ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone has warned that the Australian Grand Prix is the “least viable” race on the calendar and could be under threat if it does not become a night event.

The sport has a deal with Melbourne for another three years, but beyond that it is up in the air, with others cities lining up to take its place, Ecclestone added.

“We have a contract which we will respect, so up until 2015, we are in good shape,” he was yesterday quoted as saying by Fairfax Media ahead of Albert Park hosting the opening race of the 2012 season on March 18.

“After then, we really don’t know. If we were to have a divorce from our friends in Melbourne, we would probably be walking away from Australia.”

Last year’s Grand Prix cost Australian taxpayers A$50million, more than the revenue it generates, with at least A$25m of that reportedly going to Ecclestone for the right to host the event.

Negotiations for a new contract are expected to begin in late 2013 or early 2014, and Ecclestone said with other countries keen to come on board, a night race would go a long way towards helping save it for Australia.

“It would be wrong of me to report to our board, ‘Terribly sorry about this, but we have to walk away from wherever to retain Australia’,” he added.

Ecclestone is keen on a night race so it can be seen live on television at a suitable time in Europe, which would help with selling the rights to a continent where the sport is hugely popular. However, it is likely to be opposed by residents around the Albert Park circuit, and cost the Victorian state government more to stage.

He suggested changing to a night race could allow more flexibility in the terms with Victoria. “Maybe we could help subsidise that a little bit,” he said. – SAPA-AFP