The Australian Grand Prix should be “open-minded” about becoming a night race in the future, outgoing chief Andrew Westacott claims.
While local fans finally get to enjoy a Sunday afternoon race, Formula 1’s annual trip Down Under means those in the Western Hemisphere face a late night or an early start to watch the action live.
Since 2009, F1 and race organisers have tried to strike a balance with a late afternoon start at 4 or 5pm, but this can often lead to visibility issues for the drivers as the sun sets near the finish.
In fact, it was this that Sergio Perez pointed to as a possible reason for the chaos at the final standing start during this year’s race.
“I had to avoid [Pierre] Gasly,” the Mexican said. “And then there was no visibility really going into Turn 1.
“It was really dangerous, first of all, the [tyre] warm-up, but secondly, we could not see anything. We cannot race in these conditions any more. One day, it’s going to be a big shunt.
“We cannot see anything. The last 30 laps we are just a passenger, we don’t have any visibility.”
The ultimate solution would be for Melbourne to follow Singapore in becoming a night race, which would require more significant investment into Albert Park.
But Westacott, who leaves his post as Australian GP CEO after 12 years, thinks his successor shouldn’t rule anything out.
“For us, the preference is in the sunshine,” he told Sky Sports F1. “But what I would also say is, as you evolve, the one thing that Victoria does well is innovating major events.
“You’ve got to look at the 15-year horizon now and that’s why the Victorian government saw that this was important to secure [the new deal until 2037] – you can actually do things into the future.
“The great thing is we’ve had a partnership with Formula 1 since 1996 and therefore you can do these things with a very strong relationship. So be open-minded is probably the simple answer.”