Zoom Melbourne making news for the wrong reasons

Australia's most recent world champion has slammed the organisers of the Melbourne race.

Alan Jones, who won Williams' first title in 1980, said he is not invited to the Australian Grand Prix by his native country.

"I write to Bernie Ecclestone and get a ticket issued from Britain. It seems he is more inclined to do things for you than home-grown folk," the 62-year-old, who heads the Australian A1GP team, told the Melbourne newspaper Herald Sun.

Jones further criticised the Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) for overlooking the 50th anniversary of the first Formula One championship won by an Australian driver.

Sir Jack Brabham, now 82, won his first of three titles in 1959. He and Jones are the only Australian world champions.

"He is an icon and a national treasure, and to overlook him in that fashion is pathetic," Jones said.

Brabham has turned down his invitation to attend this weekend's event, claiming it was only made after a PR company working with his son David approached the AGPC.

"The fact is, they wouldn't have issued an invitation if they hadn't been prodded and they certainly wouldn't have done anything for the 50th anniversary," Brabham's wife Margaret said.

To Jones' criticisms, AGPC chairman Ron Walker replied: "I am not going to respond to Alan Jones' gripes about the Grand Prix."

Source: GMM
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