Motor racing-Australia to ditch Grand Prix if top teams missing

MELBOURNE, July 10 (Reuters) - Australia's Formula One chief has threatened to scrap the Melbourne Grand Prix if leading teams are not on the grid, and called on FIA head Max Mosley to stand down amid a lingering threat of a breakaway series.

Eight FOTA (Formula One Teams Association) teams including champions Ferrari have not ruled out spurning the FIA to form their own championship, despite reaching a breakthrough deal in Paris last month.

"If the disunity continues Melbourne will seriously consider its position on continuing with Formula One," Australian Grand Prix Corporation chairman Ron Walker told Australian media.

"You can just imagine if the likes of (Roger) Federer and other major players didn't turn up to the Australian Open in January or if some of the best horses didn't come to the Melbourne Cup.

"It's the same scenario, the superstars sell the tickets and if you don't have the superstars then ticket sales sag."

The Australian Formula One Grand Prix, which is partly underwritten by the venue state's government, lost a record A$40 million in 2008, after losing $35 million on the race in the previous year, sparking criticism that it has become too big a burden on tax-payers.

Victoria state premier John Brumby backed Walker's comments.

"I want value for money for Victorian tax-payers and that means you want all of the competitors, you want all of the race teams... We won't be paying for half an event, simple as that," Brumby told reporters.

The Paris deal, landed after the FIA agreed to bow to teams' demands to scrap a push by Mosley to introduce budget caps in the sport, has since appeared fragile.