Good News For Me ,we don't have to get up to earlyBahrain to open the 2008 season
The Bahrain Grand Prix will host the opening round of the 2008 Formula One World Championship, moving the Australian GP to the second round.
The Australian Grand Prix Corporation announced on Monday that the March 13-16 Albert Park event would be the second race on the calendar and would drop back to a 3:30 pm local time start (5:30 am GMT) to cater for European television audiences.
Bahrain held the first race of the season in 2006, gaining record TV viewership.
Melbourne was touted to hold next year's race at night, however organisers said the race will continue to run in daylight.
"Taking all factors into account, this is the best option for our event and the people who support it," Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) chairman Ron Walker said.
"Our investigations (on whether or not to hold a night race) have convinced us that as things currently stand, the disadvantages outweigh the advantages.
"Going later (with the race start time) will benefit fans at Albert Park, who will enjoy an even bigger day of entertainment, and people watching the race live in other parts of the world - especially Europe, where fans will be able to get up closer to breakfast time."
Additional changes for next year's event include the return of the popular V8 Supercar support race to Albert Park for the Grand Prix weekend.
"I'm also delighted that the V8 Supercars are back," Walker said. "This is a great win for everyone and especially motorsport fans.
"The combination of the world's most popular race cars in Formula One and the V8s - Australia's number one national category - is unique to Albert Park."
It was announced today that Melbourne will be round 2 in 2008 and the race will start 90 minutes later than usual at 3:30pm local time. If they ran F1 in the morning then the once a year people will leave and be home for the family dinner with relo's and the motorsport followers here can take in more racing. I think Aus have lost F1 at the end of this contract
Who will be OFF the calendar?
- Nurburgring (100% sure)
- Magny-Cours
- Indianapolis (100% sure)
Who will be ON the calendar? (newcomers)
- Singapore
- Valencia
- Hockenheim
Possible returns for 2008?
- Imola
- Suzuka
Good news for some of us
and maybe for the F1 itself, as Valencia joins the F1 calendar next year, with a street circuit layout, adding to the existing Monaco GP