Italian Grand Prix future set to be resolved

Throughout 2015 the long-term future of the Italian Grand Prix appeared to be under threat.

It seems that every few years one race always appears to be under threat of losing its slot on the Formula One calendar.

In the past it has been Silverstone, Australia has been a regular doubt and in more recent years Germany has struggled.

The idea of Formula One going ahead without a home race for Ferrari doesn’t seem plausible and eventually these disputes all seem to resolve the issue and continue.

But the threat remains very real and the naysayers should look no further than France, who haven’t hosted a Formula One Grand Prix since 2008 despite many successful drivers coming from France and of course the influence of Renault.

With that in mind this recent news regarding Monza should be positive.

Since the start of the Formula One World Championship in 1950, Monza has hosted the Italian Grand Prix every year, apart from in 1980 when Imola staged the event.

Financial issues appeared to suggest that the Italian Grand Prix could alternate between Monza and Imola, who themselves have a long standing history within F1 with Imola holding their own Grand Prix, hosting the San Marino Grand Prix from 1981 until 2006.

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone appeared to back plans for Imola as he was losing patience with Monza.

Or was he just playing Monza to get what he wants, a notorious tactic from the 85-year-old?

If that was the case it appears to have once again worked.

‘I hope we can clear the final doubts within a couple of meetings. Let’s say, the deal is 80% done. I count on signing by the end of February.’ President of the Automobile Club of Italy, Angelo Sticchi Damiani said, as quote by Autosport Magazine.

‘At the last grand prix Ecclestone was resolute in stopping talks and losing the race from 2017, The people Ecclestone was talking to wouldn’t offer the money he wanted, and proposed only renovating works on the track.

However that situation has now been resolved with Damiani stating: ‘Ecclestone wanted $28m, but through talks in the end he lowered that to around $20m, which is more or less what the Spanish and Belgian GP organisers pay, The deal is almost done, only a few details are missing.

‘There are two options: for four or seven years.

‘In the first case, the race is ensured until 2020, in the other case until 2023.’