Webber assured of cash for F1

Event chairman Ron Walker, a Melbourne entrepreneur, says he has assured the 22-year-old of 'substantial financial backing which could mean some millions of dollars from the Australian business community.'

'We're trying to get the next Alan Jones or Sir Jack Brabham on the grid, said Walker.

'We've already got the best Grand Prix in the world right here in Melbourne. What we need now is Mark Webber in F1 to show that we produce talents every bit as good or better than anywhere else in the world.'

Mercedes racer Webber said, 'Ron is a very powerful man in Australia. I feel I'm in a much better position than when I was chasing money to move up to F3 but I'm not in a big rush to get to F1.'

He hinted that his next step towards F1 would likely be a full-time test drive in 2000.