The season-opening race in Melbourne currently starts in the day at 3pm AEDT, which is 4am for UK audiences and 11pm in New York. There has previously been pressure from stakeholders to change the race Down Under to night-time so it can be more favourable for TV audiences – particularly in Europe and North America.

And Brown admits, while speaking via the Daily Mail, that he would like to see a night race in Australia. The American believes there are not enough races under the lights.

He said: “It [the grand prix] would be cool under lights.

“I think it would be cool. I like night racing.

“In general, I don’t think we have enough night races and I think that race in particular [would work] because the weather is always good, it’s a beautiful setting and I think it would look good under lights.”

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Brown’s view is in sharp contrast to Piastri. The Aussie, who finished third in the Drivers’ Championship last season, would like to see his home Grand Prix remain a day race.

The 24-year-old said: “I think it is nice the way it is. It is obviously better when it is sunny, but I don’t think it needs to be under lights.

“We’ve got a lot of races now that are night races, I think certainly for us as drivers, often the atmosphere is actually better during the day because you can see the fans a lot more, a lot of the grandstands at some night races can be quite dark.

“Even in Melbourne, you see the skyline and everything, so I am happy with the way it is.”

This action at Albert Park starts on Friday with practice before qualifying a day later and then the race itself on Sunday. McLaren will be looking to defend their Constructors’ title this season, while Lando Norris is aiming for a second straight Driver’s Championship title.