Lewis Hamilton won this year's Australian GP

The Australian Grand Prix will remain at Melbourne's Albert Park until at least 2015 after organisers agreed to push back the start time.

It will now start at 5pm local time (0600 GMT), beginning in 2009.

The race faced the axe at the end of the current deal in 2010 after F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone stated that European TV viewers' needs had to be considered.

"It's a win for audiences in Europe and Asia, a win for Melbourne and for F1 as a whole," said Ecclestone.

This year's event, which took place on 16 March, had already been pushed back, from 2pm (0300 GMT) to 3.30pm (0430 GMT) local time.

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Back in March, Ecclestone suggested the Australian GP would have to become a night race.

The idea was given short shrift by Victorian Premier John Brumby, who said the state would be opposed to such a change, but after negotiations a compromise has been reached.

"The Grand Prix has been an outstanding event for Victoria over a long period of time and has helped put Melbourne on a global stage," said Brumby.

"Retaining the event is important to Victoria's ongoing growth and prosperity.

"Our year-round calendar of sporting and cultural events draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to our wonderful city every year.

"The massive television exposure that Melbourne receives year in, year out has helped build our worldwide reputation as a great place to visit and a great place to live."