F1's first 'twilight' successed

F1's first 'twilight' race was a success for Melbourne, Victorian state premier John Brumby said on Monday.

Despite some drivers complaining of poorer visibility, he said the television images beamed around the world as the sun set low in the sky "couldn't be better."

Sunday's official crowd figure at Albert Park was 105,000, three thousand less than for the 2008 afternoon race.

But major events minister Tim Holding said : "We're in very difficult economic times, so it's not unreasonable that people are cautious as to how they spend their money."

Premier Brumby backed organisers' agreement with Bernie Ecclestone to stage the race later in the day, to better serve the European TV audience.

"Melbourne is an absolute picture, Albert Park is a picture, and the vision, the images that are going overseas now at a better viewing time just couldn't be better," he said.