Bahrain, not Australia, may open 2010 calendar

(GMM) Melbourne could lose its place at the very top of next year's formula one calendar, it was rumored in the Spa-Francorchamps paddock on Thursday.

It was suggested that due to the daylight saving changeover in the Australian city next March and the 'twilight' race start time, Bahrain could instead slot into an earlier date to kick off the 2010 championship.

Bernie Ecclestone showed team bosses an early version of the provisional calendar last Sunday at Valencia, when apparently the idea of the Australian grand prix being round two in 2010 instead of the season opener was mooted.

"Both scenarios are in discussion, but I haven't seen a finalized calendar," BMW team boss Mario Theissen told reporters in Belgium.

Melbourne has hosted the first race of the F1 season since 1996, except in 2006 when a clash with the Commonwealth Games was avoided by instead putting Bahrain to the top of the calendar.