Australia happy without 2010 season opener

(GMM) Organizers of the Australian grand prix insist they are happy despite not hosting the first race of the 2010 season.

The Melbourne event has always coveted its traditional spot at the top of the annual schedule, but next March it will have to wait until after the Bahrain opener to welcome the formula one circus to Albert Park.

It has been reported that the date-swap with Bahrain is to take advantage of Melbourne's new 'twilight' race time, and the fact that later in March the daylight saving zones in Australia and Europe will briefly overlap.

"This is the best of all worlds from a promoter's point of view — Melbourne will attract worldwide media attention early in the season and we can leverage off the first race action in promoting the Australian grand prix at Albert Park," said the Australian Grand Prix Corporation chief executive Drew Ward.