Australia won't hold night race

Formula One commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone said over the weekend that the race's future was in jeopardy if it did not fit European television slots.

"In Melbourne, if we were to continue to be there, we would have to have a night race," he told Australian newspaper the Sunday Telegraph. "That would be the only option."

Tourism Minister Tim Holding, however, said they do not plan to have the race at night, and claimed Ecclestone in fact supported the decision.

"We don't want to lose it, but we don't want to pay any price for it either," Holding told The Age newspaper. "So it's a balance.

"We've made it clear that we wouldn't have a night race and Mr Ecclestone has made it clear that he accepts that decision and, in fact, supports it."

Australia, which has been hosting a race for the past 23 years, has a contract to stage a Formula One Grand Prix until 2010.