LONDON - BERNIE Ecclestone is determined to scratch Australia from the Formula One calendar to make room for a Russian Grand Prix, according to media reports.

After Melbourne GP chiefs ruled out bowing to the F1 supremo's demands for a night race beyond 2010, the Daily Mirror reported that Ecclestone will now travel to St Petersburg to discuss holding a race in the Russian city by 2010.

The newspaper said the British billionaire will meet StPetersburg's governor next weekend, and possibly Russian president Vladimir Putin, for talks about building a circuit.

Adding Russia to the Formula One calendar has been in the air for many years now but nothing conclusive has been presented, which seems to be the case once again.

'Nothing is done yet,' Ecclestone said, 'but this could be an interesting development for the sport.

'We would like to get it in the calendar as soon as we can but that depends on them. It's down to how long it takes them to get the circuit ready.'

His comments coincide with fresh media reports in Australia that he has made it clear that there is 'no chance' that Melbourne will feature on the calendar beyond the expiry of its contract in 2010.

And Ecclestone has poured cold water on claims that the interest of rival city Sydney could rescue the beleaguered Australian GP.

He told the Herald Sun: 'There is nothing in Sydney, they haven't even got a circuit.'