Oz GP boss demands 'unity'

That is the clear message put forward in two faxes from Australian Grand Prix boss Ron Walker to F1's race organisers in his plans to get every current circuit supporting Ecclestone - as autosport.com exclusively revealed last week.

In the faxes, which autosport.com has obtained from a race promoter, Walker makes it clear that he wants both new and old race organisers to back his campaign and believes it is vital that there is an overwhelming vote of support for Ecclestone.

In a fax to the promoters who do not sit on the Formula 1 Commission, Walker states: "Some of you are quite new to the sport while others have a long and distinguished history in F1, but I firmly believe that we need to band together and present a unified front to support Bernie in order to ensure the survival and continued long term success of our sport."

Autosport.com broke the news last week that Walker has had an overwhelming vote of confidence in his campaign to get support - in a move that could force the GPWC to find alternative second-rate tracks for its planned new championship.

In a second fax to circuits that sit on the F1 Commission, which includes Monaco and Silverstone, Walker said about a letter from GPWC representatives to discuss the future: "No formal proposal has been put to me, but I am of the view that if the wheel is not broken, why fix it?

"Under Bernie's guidance we have all built a very large and successful sport and I would not think of changing horses. Loyalty to our dear friend Bernie is absolutely paramount as he has been so loyal to us over many years, and we must not let him down."