Webber Will Do Demo Run in Melbourne

From all the countries in the world where Formula 1 and some of its partners have performed demonstration events through the past few years, Australia might be bottom of the list when it comes to the need for such an event. And that's because F1 is as popular as it can be Down Under, with grandstands full (or close to being full, unless the economic crisis has other plans) at each race in recent seasons.

However, with the Bahrain Grand Prix scrapped from the calendar in 2011, Melbourne will once again become the host of an F1 season opener in the series, and the organizers decided that it would be a good idea to set up a demo run as a build-up for the 2011 Australian Grand Prix.

And who better to do it than local hero Mark Webber, the very man who was close to becoming world champion last year. According to a press release, the Australian driver will drive on of his Red Bull cars over Melbourne's Bolte Bridge in the weekend prior to the event, on Saturday, March 19.

“We are the first race on the calendar and this will be the first opportunity for fans to welcome their hero home ahead of the 2011 Formula 1 Qantas Australian Grand Prix,” said Australian Grand Prix boss Andrew Westacott.

“This unique event will truly mark the beginning of Webber's 2011 season and we wish him all the best for the year ahead,” he added.

As part of the promotional event, Webber will also make an appearance in the Red Bull racer at the Waterfront City in Melbourne's Docklands. An autograph session was also set up by the organizers for the event that is scheduled to kick off at 9.45 AM.