Melbourne confident over future deal

Doubts have been cast about Australia's place on the Formula One calendar after 2010, with Ecclestone demanding that the event become a night race if it is to get a new contract.

But although Melbourne officials have ruled out running the race at night, Walker is hopeful that a compromise can be reached that will suit both parties.

"I will be seeing Mr. Ecclestone sometime in the next three or four weeks and we will have a heart-to-heart discussion about what he wants to do," Walker told autosport.com. "I have known him for more than 20 years. He loves Melbourne and I am sure we will work something out."

When asked how confident he was that a deal could be reached, Walker said: "I am very confident. Business is about compromise and I'm very confident we will work something out. If you talk to the teams and the media, they love being here.

"He (Ecclestone) has said he wants 7pm, but we are looking at the light quality and hopefully there can be a margin between what he wants and we want, which is fair. It is not about money, it's about the reach into Asia and Europe."

Walker has, however, ruled out another idea of running the event at 10am, which would mean the race taking place late Saturday night in Europe.

"I don't think it would suit us and I don't think it would suit Mr. Ecclestone," Walker explained.

Melbourne's hopes of retaining the event have been boosted by a public endorsement from Victorian state leader Premier John Brumby. He has made it clear the Victorian government would do what it could to help thrash out a deal.

"We'll do whatever is reasonable and responsible to keep the event," he said last weekend. "There will be a negotiation process as there is with all these events, and I think by spring (in Australia) we will have a clear decision about the future of the grand prix.

"We are not going to have a public negotiation process, we will do it quietly and professionally. It is a great event and we want to keep it."