Grapevine: Australia Looking for Formula One Champion

The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) is developing a programme designed to help Australia find a new Formula One World Champion.

The internationally-acclaimed AIS has signed a four-year deal with the Confederation of Australian Motorsport (CAMS) to help train potential racing car drivers.

CAMS will be responsible for identifying the most talented young drivers in the country while the AIS, which has been given much credit for Australia's sporting success in recent years, will instruct them on fitness, nutrition and psychology.

Australian Jack Brabham won three World Drivers' Championships in the 1950s and 1960s and Alan Jones won the title in 1980 but there had not been an Australian driver in Formula One for eight years until Mark Webber got behind the wheel of a Minardi at the start of this season.

"Our agreement with the AIS takes a long-term view," CAMS sport development manager Brendan Denning told reporters in Australia.

"We want CAMS to be seen to be pro-active in how racing drivers can be better supported and prepared as athletes for the international stage."