The Australian Grand Prix has lost its traditional place as the curtain raiser to the Formula One season, with Bahrain set to replace it in 2008.
The Australian Grand Prix Corporation have announced that the March 16 event, held in Melbourne's Albert Park, will be the second race on next year's calendar, and will also start 90 minutes later than usual - at 3.30pm local time - to accommodate European TV audiences.
The date is subject to final confirmation from Formula One's governing body, the FIA, but AGPC chairman Ron Walker admitted: "This is the best option for our event and the people who support it.
"Going later will benefit fans at Albert Park, who will enjoy an even bigger day of entertainment, and people watching the race live in other parts of the world - especially Europe, where fans will be able to get up closer to breakfast time."
Walker also rejected a plan mooted by F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone that Melbourne might stage a night race in order to boost flagging ratings.
Ecclestone had warned in May that the race could disappear if organisers were not prepared to hold a floodlit event, the type of which Malaysia and Singapore are looking at.
The Victorian state government, which supports the race, had said it would investigate the option, but Walker asserted: "Our investigations have convinced us that as things currently stand, the disadvantages outweigh the advantages."
