Bernie Ecclestone has struck again. Apparently, holding the Australian race at twilight this year was neither apparent or appropriate for Mr Ecclestone, as he is now demanding in his own “special” way that the race be moved to an even later time next season.
His reason? Maximise European viewing of course! Ecclestone’s mantra. I don’t understand where he’s coming from – I, for one, enjoy the excitement of getting up early for the season opener. It makes it special and an ‘event’. I get up, make coffee, cook breakfast, and settle down for the race rather than the usual rushing and cleaning and working until the 1:00 race start.
I like having to make an effort to get up and watch it, and I don’t think I’m the only one. If it were the same for every race of the season, I would be unhappy about it, but it’s one race, the season opener and it’s in Australia for crying out loud, it’s sort of expected that it might be at an awkward time!
“When you say last year was twilight, I don’t know how twilight it was,” Mr Ecclestone said. “The later we can get that race, the better it is for us. Ron and I are talking about all these things.” Apparently, after this rather foolishly worded quote, he then refused to comment on the negotiations any further.
It was decided, when Melbourne and Bernie agreed that Melbourne would host the GP until 2015, that the next few races would be held at twilight with no artificial lighting.
What Bernie is proposing is basically a night race, which is against the contract the two parties signed previously.
A Victorian government spokesperson reiterated that the the night race proposal was not negotiable. He said “We have a firm position on when the race should be held. Bernie Ecclestone is well aware of that position and the time of the race will not be moved.”
Strong words. However, I foresee another Bernie vs Track dispute, with Benie threatening to take the GP away from Melbourne unless they bend to his wishes. Which, as we all know, is the best way to go about things.
