Australia will continue to host a formula one grand prix at Melbourne’s Albert Park through 2015, Victorian premier John Brumby confirmed at a news conference on Friday.
He said a new seven-year deal with F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone, guaranteeing a 5pm local start time, has been signed.
Ecclestone had threatened to move the race to a different country over his demands for an artificially-lit night event, but now says he is “satisfied” with the twilight compromise.
“I’m satisfied that the decision to move to a later start time is a win for television audiences in Europe and Asia, a win for Melbourne and a win for formula one as a whole,” he said.
