23/07/2007 14:44

Melbourne - The Bahrain Grand Prix will be the curtain- raiser of the 2008 Formula One season, replacing Australia.

The Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) announced on Monday that the Australian GP at the Albert Park circuit would instead be the second race on the 2008 calendar, starting 90 minutes later than usual to cater for European audiences.

The move comes after the AGPC said it was not interested in hosting a night race, a plan first raised by F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone earlier this year.

Albert Park has hosted the first race of the Formula One season since 1996 except for 2006, when the city was hosting the Commonwealth Games.