The start time at Albert Park "would change annually to include a night race every three years under the proposal from former world champion Lewis Hamilton, backed by rising Australian star Daniel Ricciardo," according to Peter Rolfe of the HERALD SUN. The man widely regarded as the future world boss of F1, Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner, also said that "Melbourne should consider a night race to broaden the appeal of the Albert Park event globally." Hamilton, who won the Melbourne race and the world title in 2008, said that "rotating start times to see racing commence at midday, twilight and under lights after dark could prevent the Australian Grand Prix from growing stale." Ricciardo said the current time was "a bit in the middle" between a day and a night race, and he saw merit in an annual rotation. Ricciardo: "It sounds like a good compromise." Australian GP Chief Andrew Westacott has previously "ruled out" a night race. But F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone is "keen on the idea," believing it would boost int'l TV ratings and "add character" (HERALD SUN, 3/4).
