Ron Walker will leave the Australian Grand Prix after 2015
After twenty years at the helm of the Australian Grand Prix, Ron Walker has decided to step down in favor of his deputy, John Harnden, who is also in charge of organizing the 2015 Cricket World Cup.
It’s a page that will turn in Australia: Ron Walker, the iconic president of the Grand Prix organization since 1994, has decided to step down: “I will retire next year, after 20 years (at the helm of the Melbourne race). I’m turning 75 this year and it’s good governance to let someone new take the reins.”
To ensure that his work outlives him, the businessman has decided to appoint his own successor, who is already the vice president of the AGPC. John Harndern is already present on the board of the structure responsible for organizing the Melbourne event. Currently, he is fully focused on the upcoming Cricket World Cup, which will be held in Melbourne in 2015, coinciding with the city’s Grand Prix.
Once this deadline has passed, he will then be able to focus on the new chapter in the history of the event: « He has been elected by the board of directors to replace me. He will take over when I retire next year. This is not known to the public. We did not make an announcement because we wanted to continue working without fanfare. That’s why I put him on the board, because I wanted him to be the one to replace me. He is a man with great knowledge of major events. He is ideally placed and this will be a smooth transition. »
Nevertheless, Ron Walker plans to stay until the 2015 edition to conclude the negotiations for the extension of his contract with the FOM, which expires next season. He told AFP: “I think the bulk of the work is now done, so to speak. It is now a matter of talking to the government to see if it’s worth it or not. I think everyone in the government wants the race. The decision will be made based on the price. We are asking for three additional years. We are not like the Arab countries or other countries: we must be very careful about how we spend taxpayer money.”
The question of the cost of hosting Formula 1 is a source of recurring controversy in the land of kangaroos, as the bill regularly reaches more than 50 million Australian dollars. However, this figure must be put into perspective relative to the media and economic benefits the city gains from this event.
With the participation of www.Racingbusiness.fr
