MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) _ Australian Grand Prix organizers have resisted pressure to stage a night Formula One race next year leading to the event losing its place as the season opener.

While ruling out a night race held under lights, which would better suit northern hemisphere television broadcasters, the Australian Grand Prix Corporation on Monday said race will start at a 3.30 p.m. local time _ one-and-a-half hours later than usual.

The new start time will enable European television viewers to watch the race later in the morning.

The decision not to hold a night race means the Australian GP will be the second race on the F1 calendar, AGPC chairman Ron Walker said.

``Taking all factors into account, this is the best option for our event and the people who support it,'' Walker said, adding the AGPC would not pursue the idea of staging the F1 race at night at Albert Park under existing circumstances.

``Our investigations have convinced us that as things currently stand, the disadvantages outweigh the advantages,'' Walker said.

The 2008 Australian Grand Prix will be staged on March 16. It was not clear which race will now open the F1 season.

F1 newcomer Singapore is expected to race under lights when it holds its first grand prix in September or October next year, while Malaysian GP organizers last month said they were holding off extending their F1 contract while they consider the high cost of staging a night grand prix at the Sepang International Circuit.