Red Bull F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo has "reignited the prospect" of the Australian Grand Prix being staged as a night race at Melbourne's Albert Park, according to Peter Rolfe of the HERALD SUN. Ricciardo has "suggested a shake-up of the current 5pm start time and believes a race under lights could offer an exciting alternative." Ricciardo: "Night races are great. If Melbourne was to do one, I think it would be fun." He said that a new State Government in Victoria and night races already in Singapore and Abu Dhabi "meant a change might be timely." Ricciardo added, "It would be a good atmosphere. As long as we get big crowds supporting it, I'm happy." The concept of a Melbourne night race has the backing of F1 CEO
Bernie Ecclestone, "who says it would add drama and boost TV audiences in
Europe." New Sports Minister John Eren said that he was "reviewing the Melbourne contract to see if a night race was viable." Eren: "Initially, my concerns are that a night race would cost significantly more." Australian Grand Prix Chair Ron Walker said the 5pm start was "written into the contract." But
Ricciardo said that changing the start time "should happen regardless, with
some drivers complaining about the glare of fading sunlight" (HERALD SUN, 12/12).
