The Victorian Government is adamant the Melbourne Grand Prix will not be moved to a night-time slot.
Bernie Ecclestone is pressuring Australian officials to hold the race at night in order to draw more television viewers from Europe, and organisers attempted to appease the F1 supremo by proposing the race start at 5pm.
However, the Victorian Government is unmoved by Ecclestone's demands for the race to take place at night.
"We will not have a night race in Victoria," Major Events Minister Tim Holding told The Sun Herald.
"I've made it absolutely clear that there will be no night Grand Prix race in Melbourne.
"It's not part of our major events fit, it's not something Australian Grand Prix Corporation supports, it's not something the Victorian government supports.
"We don't support it now, we don't support it post 2010.
"I can't be more unequivocal than that, we will not have a night race in Melbourne now or post 2010."
Former Minardi boss Paul Stoddart, though, believes race organisers are wasting them time trying to push back the starting time of the race.
"The only thing that's going to appease Bernie is a total night race," Stoddart said.
"I think it's a night race, or it. This is a halfway house. I can't see it improving the ratings, if that's what it's about.
