Monza’s future in Formula One uncertain
Concern and worry strike the Italian race organizers as the management committee of the Italian Grand Prix have once again expressed apprehension over the existence of the historic event at the Monza circuit with Formula One
planning to host a race in Rome.
The Formula One supremo, Bernie Ecclestone has immensely expanded the sports’ calendar over the past few years. The crownless king of the sport has included several new arenas in the last couple of seasons as per his new agenda
of globalizing Formula One. The initial sixteen races’ calendar has now swelled up to a total of twenty races for 2011. Rome is one of the many other arenas that are expected to become a part of the calendar in the upcoming seasons. As the region already holds
an event in Italy, at one of the very ancient circuits of the world, Monza, it is feared that the new event might engulf the older one.
Both, the Italian capital as well as Bernie Ecclestone convinced the head of the event organizer, Autodromo Nazionale, that the upcoming street race of Rome is no threat to Monza. Still, everyone in the management is far from
convinced.
While talking to the media earlier today, the Monza boss Enrico Ferrari said, "Amid a globalization of grand prix, each country will inevitably be allowed to stage only one[ race] and since Rome is the capital, I'm afraid we'd
lose the grand prix forever."
Talks between Rome and FIA officials are taking place since the past couple of months. At the end of this month another round of meetings is scheduled to be held at the Rome city council to further finalize the Formula One
bid.
While discussing the matter with the press earlier this morning the mayor of the city, Gianni Alemanno said, "Rome is known around the world for its history and landmarks, but we need an event that projects an image of Rome
that's not just about museums. We want to project a modern image and Formula One would help us do that."
Further clearing the matter Ecclestone insisted that no deal has been finalized with the Roman authorities so far. He added that only the initial level of talks had been carried and the contract was yet to be tailored for the
event.
Ecclestone concluded saying that even if a deal gets settled for the Roman Grand Prix, Monza need not worry as this season saw Brazil holding two races proving any region can have more than one race in a season.
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