Australia fights to get GP date back

Australia is fighting to retain its traditional position as the first race of the championship, after losing top spot to Malaysia.

Melbourne has provisionally been given March 5 as its race date, with the Malaysian Grand Prix is scheduled on February 22.

Australian Grand Prix chief Ron Walker is planning talks with FIA chief Max Mosley and said he regarded the announced calendar as 'pro forma' only.

Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett said he was confident the AGP Corporation chairman would be able to persuade the FIA to keep Albert Park as the season opener.

'I think that's important because it's become a bit of a tradition,' he said. 'It's a nice time to hold it, so I'd want it then.'

Walker said a provisional calendar was released every year and often the dates were changed.

He is concerned the starting order of races would mean F1 teams facing three long haul races - Malaysia, Australia and Brazil - within one month of the season's start.