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Paul Stoddart, the former Minardi team owner doubts there will be an Australian Grand Prix beyond 2009.

Bernie Ecclestone apparently insisted that the Melbourne track should be floodlit for future night racing, but Stoddart an Australian himself, suggests that the Albert Park organisers are unlikely to comply with the proposed compromise.

Apparently, the AGPC has offered to meet Ecclestone half-way and hold a twilight race at 5pm in 2009, but in a report in the Australian newspaper he said “The only thing that’s going to appease Bernie is a total night race.   I think it’s a night race or (that’s) it.  This (proposal)  is a halfway house.  I can’t see it improving the ratings, if that’s what it’s about.”

Stoddart reportedly suggested that Ecclestone is under pressure to scrap certain races because of the increasing interest of potential Grand Prix hosts around the world.  He said “There are plenty of countries happy to spend $50m on a sanctioning fee.  It’s hard to fight these economics.”