By Nikki Reynolds, F1 Editor - Motorsport.com

The Australian Grand Prix is traditionally the opening race of Formula One
season but in 2006 it will be moved to a different place on the calendar,
due to the Commonwealth Games. The Games will take place in Melbourne,
starting on March 15th, and Albert Park is one of the locations to be used.
This has disrupted F1's plans, as there won't be enough time to ready the
area for the Games if the GP was at its usual early March slot.

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"We have a contract with the promoter for them (Australia) always to be the
first race and we've scheduled our calendar with that in mind, not knowing
what was going to happen in 2006," Bernie Ecclestone told the Australian
media. "So it's something we need to have a look at."

Where the race might move to on the schedule is yet to be decided: "We need
to have a look," said Ecclestone. "There are a few other events
that need to
be taken into consideration. They've also got dates fixed they're happy
with, so we have got to ask some of those people to move. Which we will
undoubtedly do."

Some races are under threat in the future, due to anti-tobacco laws and new
venues vying to host a Grand Prix, but Australia looks set to continue.
"We're moving to Asia, as you can see, but I think that's where the world
will eventually move to," Ecclestone commented.

"So I think as long as Mr Walker (Ron Walker, chairman of the Australian
Grand Prix Corporation and also chairman of Melbourne 2006, the Games
organising authority) keeps delivering it the way he delivers we're happy to
be in Australia."


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