JULY 9, 2009

Walker speaks out against Mosley

Ron Walker, the boss of the Australian Grand Prix, says that Max Mosley should stand down as FIA President.

Ron Walker, the boss of the Australian Grand Prix, says that Max Mosley should stand down as FIA President.

"If the disunity continues Melbourne will seriously consider its position on continuing with Formula 1," he told Melbourne's Age newspaper.

Walker said that the absence of Ferrari would seriously compromise international television coverage, and therefore Melbourne's exposure.

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

"In my view Mr Mosley should walk away from the sport with dignity rather than slowly strangle to death the great brand of F1," Walker said. "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."

Walker is a close associate of Ecclestone and - in theory - a member of the Formula 1 Commission.