Late start guarantees Australian GP

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- Australia will retain its Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne until 2015, after agreeing to a later start for the benefit of worldwide television audiences.
Victorian premier Brumby said it had been agreed that no artificial lighting would be used during the race.

The race at Albert Park will start at 5:00 pm (0600 GMT) from next year after a new contract was signed with Formula One chiefs, Victorian Premier John Brumby said.

Bowing to pressure from F1 organizers who wanted a later start time to better attract international viewers, the Victoria state government agreed to push back the start of the race.

Brumby said the race would be held at the new time slot from 2009 and an agreement had been reached not to use any artificial lighting for the term of the contract.

"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," Brumby said.

Formula One Management president Bernie Ecclestone said in a statement he was pleased the Grand Prix was continuing in Melbourne.

"I have wanted changes to the local race time so that we can increase the television audience in Europe and Asia," he said. "I'm satisfied that the decision to move to a later start time for 2009 races is a win for television audiences in Europe and Asia, a win for Melbourne and a win for Formula One as a whole."

Australian Formula One Grand Prix chairman Ron Walker said the decision was good for Melbourne and Formula One.

The race was in danger of being cut from Melbourne at the expiry of the Albert Park contract in 2010 as Ecclestone considered other international offers.

Ecclestone had said a night race under lights would capitalize on European television audiences.

The Victorian government repeatedly refused to introduce a night race, saying the time was "not negotiable