Melbourne will take Formula One "back to the good old days" after civil unrest in Bahrain left Australia to host next month's season opener, Mark Webber said on Tuesday.
Bahrain authorities called off their March 13 race on Monday after a week of bloody anti-government demonstrations in the Gulf kingdom, leaving Australia to open the sport's new championship on March 27.
Speaking to Reuters from his home in central England, Webber welcomed the lucky chance to kick off his title campaign on home soil.
"It's shameful that we missed out on Bahrain. It has been good to us in the past and hopefully they will get on top of everything out there shortly," said the 2010 title contender. "So on to the next one, which happens to be in Australia. It's back to the good old days isn't it? It always used to be the season-opener and it's a sensational place for it."
Webber start his F1 career in Melbourne when he finished fifth on his debut with struggling minnows Minardi in 2002.
For years that remained his best result but as Australia's sole F1 driver he was always guaranteed a place in the limelight in Melbourne.
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