Saturday 9 August at 01:11 : Rival organisers have not given up hope of stealing the Australian grand prix from Melbourne.

It was reported recently that The Australian Racing Drivers Club had, at a cost of some $350,000, commissioned a study into the feasibility of ploughing $93m into the Eastern Creek circuit - located about 40 minutes from Sydney - as an alternate venue to Melbourne's Albert Park.

Since the report was commissioned, F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone - despite pushing for a night race - agreed a new deal with Melbourne for a twilight event until 2015.

But ARDC board member Allan Moffat said: "Bernie Ecclestone will get sick of Melbourne's refusal to host a night race.

"We would be in a position to take advantage," he told Sydney's Daily Telegraph."