Australian GP to be earlier next year

[christophulus]

The start time of the 2011 Australian Grand Prix is set to be brought forward, AUTOSPORT has learned, after FIA light tests at last week's race deemed it to be too dark.

Drivers had complained vociferously in Melbourne that the 5pm start time meant conditions were not bright enough in the closing stages of the race.



The FIA duly conducted light tests of the event and its findings showed that the brightness was below the minimum that is demanded for night race conditions.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/82675

Fingers crossed they sort out Malaysia while they're at it..

[Alfa Fan]

The GP started at 5pm there time which was 7am ours right? Would and 11am start in Australia with 1am start here not be a far better compromise?

[steveaki13]

I think they need to stop changing start times to favour of European audiences.
Its meant to be for the Australian fans. Likewise with alot of other Asian races.
If they hold races in the far east, then hold them at local time, or else hold more races in europe.

Just my opinion

[TMorel]

I actually enjoyed getting up early for the races and held parties with guests arriving in the middle of the night - great times so I'd be more than happy to have them back !

[ioan]

I think they need to stop changing start times to favour of European audiences.

Subscribed.

I prefer to wake up earlier and have a free Sunday instead of losing the whole morning.
I never understood Bernie's idea about having all the races right in the middle of the day for Europeans, does he really believe that people rather watch F1 at 2PM instead of in the evening or in the morning and than take advantage of great weather to go out?

[POS_Maggott]

The entire time that I've been a fan of F1, I've had to wake up at 7:30am to catch the start of the races. I say cater to the home crowd, Australia went green around 2am here, and Malaysia is starting right around 4am, it was a lot easier to watch a race when it started 11pm-1am.

[V12]

GREAT NEWS

Been moaning about this for a couple of years - how on earth they think waking up at 6am on a Sunday morning is easier than staying awake on a Saturday night till 2am/3am/4am is beyond me.

I never bought the "for European audiences" crap either. Bernie has proven time and time again that the common European F1 fan is pretty much bottom of his priorities.

[truefan72]

I think they need to stop changing start times to favour of European audiences.
Its meant to be for the Australian fans. Likewise with alot of other Asian races.
If they hold races in the far east, then hold them at local time, or else hold more races in europe.

Just my opinion

[Sonic]

I think they need to stop changing start times to favour of European audiences.
Its meant to be for the Australian fans. Likewise with alot of other Asian races.
If they hold races in the far east, then hold them at local time, or else hold more races in europe.

Just my opinion

very true.

[steveaki13]

I also think rather than every new race being in Asia the F1 circus should try and spread more evenly.

I think the main European races should remain but how about having at least one race in Africa, maybe South Africa.

As well as a couple more American Races.

USA
Mexico
Argentina

I feel a World Championship with
1 race in Australia/Oceania
2 in North American
3 in Latin America
1 in Africa
2or3 in Asia
and the reast in Europe

for example would be fairer and entertaining.