21/05/2007
NEWS STORY
The Victoria government has not completely ruled out holding the Australian Grand Prix as a night race it has been revealed.
Speaking to ABC Radio, state Tourism Minister Tim Holding revealed that Victorian Premier Steve Bracks met with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone in London last week to discuss the future of the event at Albert Park.
"We've got it contracted until 2010, " he said "We will, obviously, run it up to that period of time, after that, there are a lot of issues to be worked through.
Holding claims that the Victoria government has not yet received a formal proposal regarding the switching of the event from its current time slot to a night race, though he admitted the idea is being considered.
"We've said at this stage our position is we haven't ruled it out. We want to have a look at what a proposal might look like. We also want to have a look at what impact it might have on the amenity of the Albert Park area."
Holdings comments come at a time when there is uproar in Melbourne, and indeed Australia, following Ecclestone's apparent ultimatum, 'a night race or else'.
While race organizers are already under pressure as the event continues to lose money, requiring more and more government funding, there is widespread anger regarding Ecclestone's attitude and his demands.