Australian GP should be "open minded" about switching to F1 night race
The Australian Grand Prix Corporation should be "open minded" about a night Formula 1 race in the future, according to outgoing boss Andrew Westacott.
The question of a potential night race around the Albert Park circuit was posed to Westacott during an appearance in the Sky Sports commentary booth during second free practice on Friday.
While not championing the idea, Westacott urged the AGPC to keep an open mind when it comes to innovation for the event.
The key, according to Westacott, is the long-term deal in place between the Victorian government and Formula 1 that now runs until 2037.
That deal was done in two steps, with an initial deal until 2035 announced in June, followed by a two-year extension in December.
Westacott's comments come as he embarks on his final Australian GP in the top job before he steps down from the role in June.
"[For] the [Australian Grand Prix] Corporation, the preference is in the [race happening in] sunshine," said Westacott of the potential for a night race.
"But what I would also say is, as you evolve the one thing that Victoria does well is innovate in major events.
"You've got to look at the 15-year horizon now and that's why the Victorian government saw that this was important to secure [the new deal] – you can actually do things into the future.
"The great thing is we've had a partnership with Formula 1 since 1996 and therefore you can do these things with a very strong relationship. So be open minded is probably the simple answer."
Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL60, leaves the garage
Photo by: Jake Grant
There are a number of straightforward pros and cons for a night race, the primary pro being a better time slot for the European audience.
However, that would come at a cost given there is currently no track lighting infrastructure in place.
The AGP has dabbled with different start times over recent years with a push into a twilight slot from 2010 onwards.
That year saw the race start at 5pm local time, which was retained until 2015 when it was pushed back to 4pm, and 4:10pm in later years.
The race was then moved back to a 3pm start following the two-year COVID break in 2022.
F1 results: Verstappen, Alonso fastest in Australian GP practice
Norris backs tough choices McLaren F1 team had to make
The burning Supercars parity questions answered
The burning Supercars parity questions answered The burning Supercars parity questions answered
McLaughlin rules out Chevrolet Supercars Bathurst deal
McLaughlin rules out Chevrolet Supercars Bathurst deal McLaughlin rules out Chevrolet Supercars Bathurst deal
Ranking the top 10 Supercars drivers of 2021
Ranking the top 10 Supercars drivers of 2021 Ranking the top 10 Supercars drivers of 2021
Team Penske cars will join Indy 500 “dogfight”, says O’Ward
Team Penske cars will join Indy 500 “dogfight”, says O’Ward Team Penske cars will join Indy 500 “dogfight”, says O’Ward
F1 Monaco Grand Prix – Start time, starting grid, how to watch, & more
F1 Monaco Grand Prix – Start time, starting grid, how to watch, & more F1 Monaco Grand Prix – Start time, starting grid, how to watch, & more
Leclerc handed F1 Monaco GP grid penalty for impeding Norris
Leclerc handed F1 Monaco GP grid penalty for impeding Norris Leclerc handed F1 Monaco GP grid penalty for impeding Norris
Hamilton set-up tweak "made life harder" in Monaco F1 qualifying
Hamilton set-up tweak "made life harder" in Monaco F1 qualifying Hamilton set-up tweak "made life harder" in Monaco F1 qualifying
The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP
The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP
What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset
What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset
Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari?
Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari? Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari?
Why the growing pains of F1’s cost-cap era require patience
Why the growing pains of F1’s cost-cap era require patience Why the growing pains of F1’s cost-cap era require patience
Has F1 gone too far with its sprint race format tweaks?
Has F1 gone too far with its sprint race format tweaks? Has F1 gone too far with its sprint race format tweaks?
The crucial next steps for McLaren on its path to F1 recovery
The crucial next steps for McLaren on its path to F1 recovery The crucial next steps for McLaren on its path to F1 recovery
The bigger answer Mercedes needs from its now delayed F1 upgrades
The bigger answer Mercedes needs from its now delayed F1 upgrades The bigger answer Mercedes needs from its now delayed F1 upgrades
What the lessons of 2013’s mid-year tyre change mean for F1 2023's dominant team
What the lessons of 2013’s mid-year tyre change mean for F1 2023's dominant team What the lessons of 2013’s mid-year tyre change mean for F1 2023's dominant team
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.