Formula One news

Ecclestone casts doubt over Australian GP future

Bernie Ecclestone has cast doubt over the future of the Australian rand Prix saying unless organisers can make the race a night-time event down under, then it could all be over once the current contract expires in 2010.

"The only way the race could stay in Melbourne, or anywhere in Australia is if it is staged during the night so that the public in Europe can watch it," Ecclestone told the Mail on Sunday newspaper.

Pressure groups already opposed to any Grand Prix in Albert Park are fuighting hard to prevent a night race and organisers are concerned by the costs of lighting.

"At the moment it's ridiculous that people are asked not to sleep in order to watch it live, that can't carry on," he added. "The alternative is to pull the race completely from Australia and I've spoken to Prime Minister Rudd and he's told me it would cost too much to move the race, so I guess that's it - we won't be going to Australia too much longer."

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