Australian Grand Prix boss Ron Walker, has dismissed any chance of the GPWC visiting Melbourne’s Albert park circuit in the near future, despite their claims that they are setting up a rival series to Formula One that is expected to begin in the 2008 season.
As Walker explained, Australia has a long term contract with Bernie Ecclestone to host the Formula One event with six years left to run and an option for a further five. Walker isn’t convinced that the new series will even get the go ahead from the FIA and if it does, It will be a secondary event that no one will want to attend anyway.
“We have a long-term contract with Mr Ecclestone which runs until 2010 with another five year option and I doubt that the auto manufacturers will in fact get a licence from the FIA to run this sport," Walker told the Australian press. "This is almost like all the football clubs running their own race without the AFL. Without a licence from the FIA they just become another Indy or another cycle of motor racing which amounts to not much at all. I don't think anyone wants to take on a secondary race – they all want a Formula One race."
"Frankly I can't see this getting off the ground. I think it's a leverage exercise by FIAT and Renault and Mercedes and BMW to try and force Mr Ecclestone...to distribute greater funds from the revenues. I think there is a conspiracy, if you will, between the motor manufacturers and the banks to try and force Mr Ecclestone to do things that he doesn't want to do. This is probably a game of cards at the moment that is intensifying. We in Melbourne will not be going along with GPWC, we will be continuing our relationship with Mr Ecclestone."
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