Ron Walker to step down from Australian F1 role

Australian Grand Prix Chairman Ron Walker is to step down from his leadership role for the Australian F1 Grand Prix after next year's event.

With management of the event set to be overhauled, Walker, 74, will be leaving the role after 22 years in the post.

Walker, who played a key role in attracting Australian F1 Grand Prix to Melbourne from its first staging in Adelaide, admits that it is now time for a change as the event looks to retain its place on the calendar amid wrangling over start times and escalating costs.

He told The Australian newspaper "I'll retire next year ... I'm 75 this year and it's good governance to let someone fresh take the reins."

The former Lord Mayor of Melbourne has already identified his successor, with 2015 Cricket World Cup Chief Executive John Harnden lined up to replace him after next season's event. Harnden has been approved by the Grand Prix board and now only requires sanctioning by the Victorian Government.

Explaining the transition, Walker stated that Harnden had been a "very able deputy chairman" and was "the next generation".

He added "he has been elected by the board to replace me, so he will take over when I retire next year.

"(He is) a man with the knowledge that he has with major events, he's ideally placed ... it's a seamless transition."

Walker, who is also Chairman of the Moto-GP at Phillip Island, expects to remain in charge while the GP committee concludes its contract talks with Formula One Management.

Harnden is currently Chief Executive of the 2015 Cricket World Cup and will take over from Walker for the 2016 Grand Prix if the Melbourne contract is renewed.

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