Ecclestone wants a night race in Melbourne

Bernie Ecclestone is once again putting pressure on the organizers of the Australian Grand Prix.

The director of FOM, after pushing for a night race and ultimately achieving the concept of a twilight race earlier this year, wants to delay the start time further for the 2010 edition.

A new contract has been signed for the race next March on the Albert Park circuit, and it seems that the start at 5 PM local time is expressly mentioned in the document, thus not requiring artificial lighting.

The drivers complained this year about the long shadows and sun reflections at the end of the race, but Ecclestone praised this concept, much better for TV audiences in Europe.

He recently told the local newspaper Sunday Herald Sun that he was in negotiations with organizer Ron Walker for an even later start: «When you say that last year it was twilight, I don’t know how twilight it could have been.»

The later departure time we get, the better it will be for us. Ron and I are in the process of discussing these things, continues the 78-year-old Briton.

A spokesperson for the Australian government stated, for their part, that the refusal of the night race concept was non-negotiable.

«We have a firm position on the time at which the race must be held. Bernie Ecclestone is also aware of our position and the race time will not be shifted.»

The Australian Grand Prix, which will not be the season opener in 2010, is scheduled for March 28.