The Australian Grand Prix will open next year's Formula One season, according to the Australian Grand Prix Corporation Chairman, Ron Walker.

Walker said today that Bernie Ecclestone, the Formula One supremo, agreed to change the provisional calendar for the 2000 season. Ecclestone said he will reinstate the Australian event as the opening one for the year, moving the Malaysian Grand Prix - which was scheduled to open the season - to October, as the closing event of the the season. According to Walker, the Grand Prix in Melbourne would now be on March 12.

"The date still has to be ratified by the FIA Senate when it meets in Geneva in October," Walker said, "but you'll find that when Mr Ecclestone makes a statement such as he has, people bet on it."