Melbourne by 2010: night race… or very early morning?

Ron Walker, the CEO of the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix, is optimistic about the future of his circuit. He is indeed convinced that he can reach an agreement with Bernie Ecclestone to improve safety in Melbourne.

For several days, rumors have been circulating about a possible suspension of the Australian Grand Prix starting in 2010 if the organizers cannot find more ways to improve. Bernie Ecclestone reportedly proposed a night race at Albert Park, but the organizers are against it. Nevertheless, they still hope to find a compromise with Ecclestone very soon.

« I will meet Mr. Ecclestone in two or three weeks to talk face to face about his plans for the Australian Grand Prix », Walker revealed to the British magazine ‘Autosport’.

I’ve been seeing him for over 20. He loves this race and I am sure we will be able to come to an understanding quickly!

Walker provides more details on the future of the Grand Prix: « We know for certain that the media and the teams love our race. Therefore, we will not have any problem reaching an agreement, but for now, Ecclestone wants a race at 7 PM. However, in Asia and the Middle East, this would not be very practical, so we want to change this timing… »

Walker also confirmed that a morning race was not feasible. One idea was to schedule the race at 10 a.m. local time, which would mean having the result of the Grand Prix and the race at 11 p.m. in Europe… on Saturday evening.

« I don’t think this proposal is acceptable, and I don’t think it would suit Mr. Ecclestone either », explained Walker.

Melbourne is not the most threatened circuit on the calendar by 2010. The State of Victoria, where the Grand Prix in Australia is located, has also announced that it would fully support the Albert Park officials.