Ivan Capelli is hoping the interest shown by Imola to host the Italian Grand Prix is the catalyst needed to get the officials that want Monza to remain on the Formula 1 calendar to focus on signing a new contract.
The former Tyrrell, AGS, March, Leyton House, Ferrari and Jordan Formula 1 driver revealed that a meeting with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has been set up, with the Italian hoping for positive news to come.
“Let’s say the fact that Imola are saying they are ready is probably waking up a little bit the politicians in Rome who must actually support the GP,” said Capelli to Motorsport.com.
“We are meeting Ecclestone soon to show him our situation and our proposal.”
Despite rumours that Imola would be willing to share the Italian Grand Prix with Monza, Capelli has rubbished these, and insisted no communication about any potential race share with Imola has occurred.
“We haven’t received any official proposal from Imola to alternate the race,” said Capelli.
“Everybody’s experience shows that that kind of situation is not good for F1. In Spain it didn’t work, in Germany it didn’t work, it didn’t work in Japan with Suzuka and Fuji.
“We have a contract that is there and we would like to renew this contract. But as a sportsman, I am saying that if the alternating race is the only option that we have to not lose the GP of Italy, they we have to consider it.
“But because alternating races does not work, we should have a new idea of interpreting this kind of situation. At the moment I don’t think there is one.”
