The future of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza could be secured after Italy’s Senate budget committee will allow the region of Lombardy to invest in the race.
The current contract runs out at the end of the 2016 season, with funding issues being the main stumbling block over a new deal from the 2017 season onwards, but the potential new financial package could go a long way to seeing Monza’s future on the F1 schedule secured.
“This is obviously good news,” revealed F1 Supremo Bernie Ecclestone to Autosport. “Let’s hope they can do what they hope they can do.
“We’re happy and we want to continue at Monza, that is for sure, but we want to do so on the same sort of terms other people pay in Europe because there are no concessions, not at all.”
The Governor of Lombardy Roberto Maroni is hopeful a deal can be struck with Ecclestone so Monza remains host of the Italian Grand Prix, especially after Imola declared its interest in hosting the event should the deal with Monza not be forthcoming.
“With a tax-free investment we can close the deal with Ecclestone by early September,” said Maroni to Gazzetta dello Sport.
“This week I will meet with Andrea Dall’Orto, the president of SIAS [Monza’s management company] to close the deal with the mayors of Milan and Monza by the end of August.
“The GP has to stay in Monza.”
