Italian Grand Prix to alternate?

Could the Italian Grand Prix alternate between two hosting circuits?

With Monza struggling to finance a new deal with Formula One to secure the Italian Grand Prix beyond 2015, a proposal similar to the one that had previously been in place in Germany has been suggested.

Since 2007 the German Grand Prix has alternated between Hockenheim, who had hosted the race every year, with the exception of 1985, since 1977 and Nürburgring.

Between 2007 and 2014, the system had worked well, but for 2015 there will be no German Grand Prix on the calendar as Nürburgring were unable to make the race viable and Hockenheim failed to have enough time to step in to replace it.

Despite the disappointment of Mercedes not having their home race in 2015 it has proved a fairly successful system and one that could guarantee that Ferrari keep hold of their home race in Italy.

The proposal is to alternate the Italian Grand Prix between Imola and Monza, two historic tracks in Formula One.

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.

Within 12 months Imola had their own Grand Prix, hosting the San Marino Grand Prix from 1981 until 2006.

This deal could not only save Monza from falling off the calendar, but could also reintroduce Imola.

‘Imola proposes an alternation with Monza. It can be done.

‘I want Italy to stay on the F1 calendar at all costs, but while Imola has contacted me, I haven’t heard anything from Monza for a month.’ Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone told Gazzetta dello Sport.

Ecclestone appears to back plans for Imola, but is losing patience with Monza.

‘The people I’ve spoken with haven’t even asked me for some time in order to decide. We just left each other like that, hanging.

‘It’s useless to keep on talking. In order to have a grand prix, you need money. If the money is there, the race takes place.’

He added: ‘Imola was a nice experience that could live again, once Monza’s contract expires at the end of 2016.