Melbourne GP organisers confident of return

Australian Grand Prix organisers are convinced Formula One will return down under despite threats from the world governing body.

A row between the FIA and Minardi boss Paul Stoddart saw president Max Mosley threaten to strip Australia of its world championship motorsport events.

Mosley was angry that a Melbourne court granted Stoddart an injunction to allow Minardi to qualify at Albert Park and vowed to review Australia’s status on the Formula One and world rally calendars.

But race organiser Ron Walker believes the matter will be sorted out and has even earmarked a date for next season’s race, which has to move from its traditional March date due to the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

He said: “We are hoping for an April 30 date but that hasn’t been confirmed. I’m certainly not getting into the decision-making process because that is for Max Mosley and Bernie Ecclestone.

“We’re hoping for that date and that would make it the fourth grand prix of the season. This race is here until 2010.”

Victoria state premier Steve Bracks was even more forthright, insisting “there’s as much chance as a snowball in hell” of Mosley stripping Australia of its grand prix. “We have a secure contract,” he said.