Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace

Last Race: 27th Nov Brazil

Brazil GP Results
Pos Driver
1Mark Webber
2Sebastian Vettel
3Jenson Button

Story Tools

Related links

More News

Sky Bet F1 betting

'Melbourne could walk away from F1'

Friday 10th July 2009

'Melbourne could walk away from F1'

'Melbourne could walk away from F1'

Australian Grand Prix chairman Ron Walker has warned that unless Formula One resolves its political issues, Melbourne could walk away from the sport.

F1 was once again thrown into chaos this week when FOTA revived their threat to start a breakaway series after Wednesday's disastrous meeting with the FIA's Technical Working Group.

"If the disunity continues Melbourne will seriously consider its position on continuing with Formula One," Walker told The Age newspaper.

"Without Ferrari racing in Melbourne, (the race) will lose much of its glamour and therefore the government investment will come into question."

The Aussie added that in his "view Mr Mosley should walk away from the sport with dignity rather than slowly strangle to death the great brand of Formula One.

"The sport needs fresh and dynamic leadership more than ever before to lead F1 into a new era of motor racing.

"Bernie Ecclestone is absolutely trying to be a peacemaker, but if the most successful automotive companies in the world will not agree to the rules laid down by the FIA then that will be the end of it."

Meanwhile, Victoria Premier John Brumby says Melbourne doesn't want to play host to "half an event" that is lacking the sport's big name teams.

"I want value for money for Victorian taxpayers and that means that you want all of the competitors, you want all of the race teams," he told the Sydney Morning Herald.

"We won't be paying for half an event, simple as that. So I hope that they can resolve this, I'm sure that they can. I think it's very early days."

User comments

    Loading

      Post a comment

      The RB8 in detail

      Editor's Picks

      Secret Diary Of Newey 53¾

      Secret Diary Of Newey 53¾

      With the Red Bull RB8 launch just days away - the Ferrari nose has taken Adrian completely by surprise...

      Pirelli Change The Game

      Pirelli Change The Game

      Pirelli have announced they're closing the speed gap between tyres - so what will that mean for the racing for this year's Championship?...

      NTF1N: Norb Quickest

      NTF1N: Norb Quickest

      In a week where Kimi Raikkonen returned to track action and Jarno Trulli stood his ground, Norbert Haug set a new record...

      2012 Pre-Season Calendar

      2012 Pre-Season Calendar

      PlanetF1 Brings You A One-Stop Guide To All The On-Goings In Pre-Season, Including Launches, Testing And Galleries...

      Forum: Best Of The Best

      Forum: Best Of The Best

      We may not have seen the cars or witnessed their speed but that hasn't stopped the Forum from picking its favourites for the year...