Night race key to Melbourne GP future

In an interview with the Sunday Herald Sun newspaper, Ecclestone reiterated his belief that the Australian Grand Prix should be held at a more accessible time for European audiences, and said that the night race issue was critical to contract talks.

Melbourne's current deal to host the Australian GP expires after 2010.

"When the contract comes up, we have to have a look and see exactly what we will be doing with Melbourne," Ecclestone said.

"Unless they can come up with something satisfactory, I'm pretty sure we wouldn't be able to continue there.

"I would like to make sure we can watch (the race) in Europe and other parts of the world at a respectable time rather than having to get up at three or four in the morning.

"(Australian GP boss) Ron (Walker) is not stupid and he knows exactly what is at stake."

A spokesman for Victoria's Tourism Minister Tim Holding said that formal discussions about both the contract extension and the night race issue had not yet commenced.

"We strongly support the race," the spokesman told the Sunday Herald Sun.

"The contract runs until 2010, but we haven't begun negotiating that yet. And a night Grand Prix has never been formally proposed.

"Ultimately the Victorian Government will decide what is best for Melbourne."