Rome still hoping to host Formula 1 grand prix – Formula 1 news
A letter from Bernie Ecclestone to the mayor of Rome was recently revealed in which the chief of Formula 1 stated that there is no room for a Roman Grand Prix on the Formula 1 calendar anytime soon.
He also stated that since there is already an Italian Grand Prix in the Formula 1 calendar, there is no chance of holding two races in the same country anytime soon.
The only country that holds two races a season is currently Spain where the Spanish Grand Prix and European Grand Prix takes place each year. However, most of the officials stated that no country will be allowed to hold 2 grands prix anymore and since Monza
is a very famous and legendary track, the FIA wants to keep it as the venue for the Italian Grand Prix rather than a Roman track.
Despite Bernie’s rejection of the track, some promoters of the Roman Grand Prix still believe that there is still a chance of holding a race in Rome and they are not going to give up. They advised that they could alternate with Monza after every year and
hold the Italian Grand Prix in Rome.
It seems that the organisers of the venue are getting a bit too desperate for a Formula 1 race. Since the 2011 Formula 1 season is already hosting 20 races including an inaugural Indian Grand Prix, most of the teams and drivers have stated that a 20-race
season should be the limit.
However, Rome’s mayor Gianni Alemanno believes that the letter was not a rejection for Rome.
“There is the decision to grant Italy just one grand prix, either at Monza or Rome, or in both cities but in alternated seasons,” he is quoted in the Italian media. The mayor added that Rome will announce a “finalised decision’ next week.
A promoter Maurizio Flammini also believes that Bernie’s letter is just the beginning of the negotiations between Formula 1’s officials and the organisers of the ‘faithfully opposed’ circuit in Monza.
“Ecclestone has proposed alternating Rome and Monza. We will speak to the Automobile Club of Milan and to [Monza circuit owner] Sias to see if there is the possibility of collaboration,” Flammini said in a statement to the media.
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