The Australian Grand Prix's international free-to-air television audience has suffered a hit with the BBC axing next year's race from its line-up.
British viewers will have to pay to watch live coverage of the opening race of next season's Formula One world championship on March 18 on the Sky Sports channel.
Under a revised TV deal for F1 in Britain, only half the 20 grands prix scheduled next year will be shown live on the BBC, which revealed overnight that the Melbourne race was not among them.
Sky will screen all F1 races live, while the BBC will show delayed highlights packages of those it does not telecast live.
Britain is a significant free-to-air market for F1 viewers and the decision comes as a major blow to the race, especially as the season-opener always proves a unique drawcard.
The early morning start time of the Australian race in Britain already limits its audience, estimated now at around two million.
Ten races will be shown live on BBC One, including the British, Monaco and season-ending Brazilian Grands Prix.
