<I>Network Ten</I> confirms three huge days of F1.

Network Ten will roar into its inaugural season as Australia's Formula One broadcaster with an unprecedented three days of coverage at the 2003 Foster's Australian Grand Prix.

The channel will show the first Formula One qualifying session and supporting V8 Supercar race on Friday in addition to the usual Saturday qualifying session and Sunday race, having secured the Australian broadcast rights to the F1 world championship through to 2005.

Another first for the Australian Grand Prix will be an all-Australian commentary for the Formula One race. Network Ten's motorsport host, Bill Woods, and recently-retired V8 Supercar driver and now Ten commentator Neil Crompton, will call the main race, with 500cc legend Daryl Beattie covering all the action in the pits.

"Motorsport's 'jewel in the crown' cements our position as broadcaster of every major motorsport category in the world," Ten's general manager for sport, David White, said, "As host broadcaster of the Australian Grand Prix, we will draw on a production team renowned for its motorsport expertise.

"Since 1997, Network Ten has raised the profile of televised motorsport in Australia to unprecedented levels. We have given events regular time slots and approached coverage in a novel, often groundbreaking, manner to achieve consistently high - and growing - ratings. We'll apply the same commitment to Formula One."

Throughout the season, viewers will also enjoy improved Formula One broadcast times, with all European rounds shown immediately following the Sunday night movie and rounds in North and South America shown live. In addition to the race broadcasts, Sports Tonight and RPM will provide extensive news and stories on Formula One throughout the year.

RPM is Network Ten's flagship motorsport programme, and one-third of its airings this year will be extended to 90 minutes to accommodate race previews - including qualifying - race analysis and exclusive interviews and behind the scenes footage.