FEBRUARY 3, 2002

Melbourne to be confirmed this week?

THE Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne is due to take place a month from now but the date remains provisional at the moment because of the legal implications that might exist in the report and recommendations of the Melbourne coroner. The coronial inquest into the death of spectator marshal Graeme Beveridge after an accident in the 2001 Australian Grand Prix ended before Christmas with the coroner saying he would publish a report in mid-January. That report has yet to appear and, with time ticking away, the authorities in Melbourne are keen to get the official green light for the race. That will not happen until the FIA sees a copy of the report.

No-one is expecting the event to be cancelled but paperwork needs to be done. The latest word in the Australian media is that the report will be published this week.