Rome decides to focus on the 2020 Olympics rather than a Formula 1 entry
After a lot of statements and claims from the organizers in Rome that they will hold a Formula 1 grand prix sometime soon, Rome’s mayor Gianni Alemanno recently revealed that the organizers, and the government has decided to “step back” and delay their plan
of a Formula 1 race which was expected to take place on a street circuit; similar to the one used for the Monaco Grand Prix.
It was revealed last week that the CEO of FIA, Bernie Ecclestone, wrote a letter to him stating that since Italy is already hosting a race in Monza, the FIA is willing to continue holding the Italian Grand Prix in Monza but holding two races in a single
country is impossible now. Since the 2011 Formula 1 season is expected to be 20 races long, this is going to be the longest season in the history of the sport.
Most of the drivers and teams stated that “a 20 race season should be the limit”. As a result, the FIA wants to keep 20 races as the maximum amount of races per season. Therefore, it is impossible to hold a Roman Grand Prix anytime soon.
One of the organizers in Rome Maurizio Flammini believed that this was the beginning of the negotiations. He also suggested that they could annually alternate Rome and Monza as the Italian Grand Prix but Alemanno’s statement clarifies Rome’s stance on this
situation more clearly.
“The road has not been completely closed, but the interests of our city must be compatible with the national ones,” he told the media regarding F1, Rome will "take a step back". He also added, “there will be a press conference in the coming days”.
He urged the government to focus on the Olympics more, which is expected to take place in 2020 and according to the mayor, “a target for Rome is not just ambitious but achievable.”
Alemanno revealed that negotiations of holding a Roman Grand Prix have not been successful in any way up until now.
“We have always maintained contact with the mayor of Monza, with the ministers of the north and all those of the Lombardy region. I have to say that we never found a great dialogue, even when we stressed that if it was a choice between Monza and Rome then
we would pull back,” he said.
Tags: