FIA Wants Mid-Afternoon Start Time For Australian Grand Prix

The world governing body of motorsport "wants the start of the Australian Formula One Grand Prix shifted back at least four hours," according to Sophie Aubrey of the HERALD SUN. If FIA gets its way, the grand prix would begin mid-afternoon, "instead of the current 5pm" designed to maximize TV audiences in Europe. But Australian Grand Prix chiefs are "adamant the race start time will not change." FIA commissioned a report to "investigate why French driver Jules Bianchi suffered life-threatening head injuries in the Japanese Grand Prix in October." The 10-member panel made seven recommendations "including shifting the starting times." The report said, "It is proposed that a regulation or guideline be established such that the start time of an event shall not be less than four hours before either sunset or dusk." Only "night races with lights on tracks would be exempt." Australian Grand Prix CEO Andrew Westacott said that the Melbourne start time "was set in stone" (HERALD SUN, 1/9).