Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has reportedly told Formula One’s Bernie Ecclestone that the Victorian state government will not foot the bill for a night race in Melbourne. This news after Ecclestone has repeatedly ramped up the pressure for such a race, in order to secure a more Euro-friendly time slot for the season opening grand prix.

The Daily Mail quoted Ecclestone as saying, “I’ve spoken to Kevin Rudd and he’s told me it would cost too much to re-stage the race, so I guess that’s it. We won’t be going to Australia for too much longer.