Oz GP boss critical of UK government

Speaking as the Australian Grand Prix Corporation announced a government-funded £6m upgrade to the Albert Park circuit's pit and paddock area, Walker said the UK government should stop taking the economic benefits of the British GP for granted and act to protect its future.

"Britain is having to compete with ever more government-funded races like Bahrain and China," Walker said. "So many other British sports get government backing but Formula One doesn't.

"Yet the economic benefits conferred by a Grand Prix in terms of tourism, global exposure and income for the local economy are massive. And that's before you consider that the British motorsport industry employs 65,000 people."

The Albert Park upgrades are due to be in place for next year's race and centre around a heavily revamped paddock area. Teams will be given more space by separating the existing garage areas from the catering and hospitality units, to allow more space for media and corporate guest entertaining.

Walker said: "The Australian GP is already the world's largest corporate entertainment event. The improvements we have under way will make the experience of being at the Grand Prix better for everyone, whether they're working or being entertained."

But the coveted opening-race slot enjoyed by the Australian GP from 1996 to 2005 and lost last year on account of a date clash with the Commonwealth Games, has still not been confirmed for 2007.

Walker said: "That's something I'm still discussing with Bernie. Ultimately the calendar is still down to him but I know there's a lot of support for getting the first race back to Melbourne. It's always been immensely popular to get to the sunshine after the European winter."

Bahrain hosted the season-opening Grand Prix this season and enjoyed higher-than-expected TV ratings, believed to be on account of the small time gap between the Middle East and Europe.

European F1 fans have previously had to endure 3am alarm calls to watch season-opening Grands Prix from Melbourne.