Bahrain may keep F1 opener
This year, Bahrain stepped into the circus' coveted round-one role, leading F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone to enjoy higher television ratings because the Persian Gulf's time difference is more favorable for European fans.
Indeed, 75-year-old Bernie rued the usual Melbourne ratings of 1996 to 2005 as 'lousy'.
But Ron Walker, chairman of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, hit back at Ecclestone, inviting the diminutive Briton to look closely at the contract that is not set to expire until 2010.
He said 2006 was a one-off to avoid a clash with the Commonwealth Games.
Walker told the Herald Sun: ''We have it in the contract that we are the first race, so we're not worried about that.''
03/29/06 Bernie Ecclestone has continued to point his rifle of fear at organizers of the Australian grand prix, suggesting that the race may not be given back its season-opening slot for the 2007 season.
With Melbourne hosting the Commonwealth Games earlier this month, Bahrain stepped in to host the first race — the first time Albert Park has dropped down the F1 calendar since 1996.
But, speaking from London, 75-year-old Bernie told the 'Age' newspaper that F1's new season opener recorded better TV ratings in Europe than previous Australian races; no doubt because of the more favorable time slot.
''We got very, very good television ratings (for Bahrain), whereas from Australia, we get lousy television ratings in Europe,'' the Briton said.
Bernie was also quoted as suggesting that Australian organizers should liven-up their F1 race by using more spectacular Commonwealth Games opening ceremony-like ideas.
03/28/06 Bernie Ecclestone says it may be better having an F1 season opener in Bahrain rather than Australia. Australia asked to not be the opener this year to avoid a conflict with the Commonwealth Games. Now it appears they may never get the season opener back.
"We got very, very good television ratings for the Bahrain GP, whereas from Australia, we get lousy (early morning) television ratings in Europe," Ecclestone said to the Sydney Morning Herald, alluding to the fact it is important to have good Europe TV ratings for the opening race.