Retiring Ron Walker: Melbourne Formula One Grand Prix is ready for change

RETIRING Melbourne Grand Prix chairman Ron Walker has urged his successor to take the Albert Park race in a new direction. WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?

Former Fairfax Chairman and Mayor of Melbourne, Ron Walker at the opening of his new development, The Guilfoyle.

RETIRING Melbourne Grand Prix chairman Ron Walker has urged his successor to take the Albert Park race in a new direction, as the hunt to fill one of the highest-profile jobs in Australian sport heats up.

Mr Walker’s 20-year reign as Australian Grand Prix boss ends this month with Cricket World Cup chief John Harnden tipped to replace him.

Former premier Jeff Kennett has declared Mr Harnden the best candidate for the position and urged Premier Daniel Andrews to appoint him promptly to guarantee the event’s continuing success.

Mr Walker has also previously endorsed Mr Harnden for the post.

But the Andrews Government is yet to approve the succession plan and indicated it will search far and wide before making a decision, potentially leaving the position vacant for several months.

Mr Walker said it was up to the state Cabinet to decide his successor, but thought Victoria would be “very lucky” to have the man who he has tipped to take over.

“The guy who is taking over ... He’s half my age, which is a great thing because I’ve done my job, this is a change,’’ Mr Walker said.

The change would usher in new blood, new ideas and a new direction.

Mr Walker said the scope of changes introduced would be up to his successor but admitted they were necessary to ensure Melbourne remained a global major events leader.

“We just can’t sit back every year and hope that it’s going to work,’’ he said.

“We have to entertain people, it’s basically show business and people come to be entertained. He will bring a new direction.’’

The obvious change would be staging the Australian Grand Prix after dark, as long desired by F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone. But Mr Walker said that would “never, ever, ever” happen.

Mr Walker is due to retire after the Grand Prix Corporation’s April 28 board meeting.

Sport Minister John Eren said the Government was in no rush to fill the high-profile post with the position not “officially vacant” until the end of the year.

The Grand Prix is locked in for Melbourne until at least 2020.

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