McLaren Chief Supports Shift to Nighttime Australian Grand Prix
McLaren CEO Zak Brown endorses transforming the Australian Grand Prix into a night race, sparking debate within the team as driver Oscar Piastri prefers keeping the daytime schedule.
The Melbourne event currently starts at 3 p.m. AEDT, aligning with 4 a.m. in the UK and 11 p.m. in New York. Stakeholders push for a nighttime slot to better suit global TV audiences.
Brown highlights the appeal without referencing viewership. “It would be cool under lights,” he states. “I like night racing. In general, we don’t have enough night races, and this one would work well because the weather is always good, it’s a beautiful setting, and it would look stunning under lights.”
Oscar Piastri Favors Current Daytime Format
Aussie driver Piastri opposes the change. “I think it is nice the way it is,” he says. “It is obviously better when it is sunny, but it doesn’t need to be under lights. We’ve got many night races now, and for drivers, the atmosphere is often better during the day because you can see the fans more clearly. Even in Melbourne, you see the skyline, so I am happy with it.”
Last season’s Drivers’ Championship saw tensions at McLaren, with Piastri losing a 34-point lead to finish third, 16 points behind teammate Lando Norris, amid team orders and incidents that fueled scrutiny.
Fan Reactions and Future Outlook
Australian fans echo Piastri’s view. One comments, “No thanks. Needs to go back to 2 p.m.” Another adds, “Why should Australia watch it in the dark? Most people catch up, and I like it in the sunshine.” A third notes, “Europeans can’t be bothered getting up at 6 a.m.—start Euro GPs at 2 p.m. again so we don’t stay up half the night.”
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has not ruled out a shift, but no plans confirm moving from the daytime slot.
