Italian GP: Imola to replace Monza?
Bernie Ecclestone and the promoters of the Imola circuit have reportedly signed an agreement in principle to hold the Italian Grand Prix at the Dino and Enzo Ferrari track from the 2017 season. Alternation with Monza is also envisaged.
In significant financial difficulty for several years, Monza is at risk of losing Formula 1 to another legendary Italian circuit, the Dino and Enzo Ferrari track at Imola.
The circuit, located in Emilia-Romagna, has not hosted Formula 1 since 2006. It was only the venue for the Italian Grand Prix once, in 1980, before becoming the San Marino Grand Prix.
Faced with the difficulties of organizing the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, Bernie Ecclestone would have chosen to transfer the race to Imola and has already signed a memorandum of understanding with the circuit: « Bernie knows that we are available. He sent us a proposal that we signed and returned. We will be very happy to see F1 return to Imola. Our main effort is to accomplish something like this. » stated Uberto Selvatico Estense, one of the circuit’s officials, to our colleagues at Motorsport.com.
The final decision, however, remains in the hands of the Automobile Club of Italy and its president, Angelo Sticchi Damiani: « It just depends on Angelo Sticchi Damiani. I think it’s a political issue. We have an agreement with Bernie, and we only need the approval of the national sports authority. If there is no Italian Grand Prix in the future, it will only be Mr. Sticchi Damiani’s problem, as he will not have authorized this agreement, Estense further specifies.
The leaders of the Imola circuit say they are ready to welcome Formula 1, having completed the necessary work on the infrastructure and track, and possessing a sufficiently solid financial foundation.
