Monza hits setback in bid to save F1 race

[Rob]

Fresh doubts have emerged about the future of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza after a meeting with race chiefs and Bernie Ecclestone failed to deliver the contract that had been hoped for.

Angelo Sticchi Damiani, the president of the Automobile Club of Italy, and Ivan Capelli, president of the Automobile Club of Milan, had been optimistic that new financial terms that had been prepared to save the race would be accepted when they met in London earlier this month.

But according to sources, the offer of 18 million Euro per year proved not to be the stumbling block, as instead Ecclestone expressed concern about the management situation of the Italian race track.

He had been alerted to the fact that there are questions about how locked in a supposed seven-million Euro investment over 10 years to improve facilities was, as well as the financial state of the SIAS company which looks after the Monza race track.

That situation has left him worried that he could commit to a fresh Italian GP contract and then planned upgrades would not happen.

Fresh talks

Motorsport.com understands that Ecclestone has asked for long-term guarantees about the running of the circuit, and has called a fresh meeting for later this month to try to move the situation forward.

The situation remains incredibly delicate, and Capelli has declined to comment on what needs to change over the next days to get the deal back on the table.

Imola or Mugello in frame?

What has become clear, however, is that Damiani is determined not to lose the Italian GP from the calendar, even if he cannot save Monza.

Having worked hard to get government legislation changed to allow extra funding from the ACI to help the race, he is not ready to accept defeat.

That is why the door has now opened on either Imola or Mugello being lined up if the Monza situation cannot be resolved quickly.

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/mo...ce-672777/?s=1

[Rob]

Ecclestone says Monza F1 future no longer in his hands

Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone says that the fate of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza is no longer in his hands.

Motorsport.com revealed this week that Monza's chances of getting a new contract had suffered a blow following the failure of race chiefs to agree a new deal with Ecclestone earlier this month.

While race fee issues appear to have been resolved, fresh doubts have emerged over the long-term management of the Monza circuit and what that would mean for the event.

Another meeting has been set up for later this month to try to iron out the issues, but Ecclestone has made it clear that the matter is now fully in the hands of the Italian authorities.

Speaking to Reuters about the latest situation, Ecclestone said: "It's Italian. A lot of conversations at the moment and not much action.

"They said to me a few months ago 'everything is sorted out, we know exactly where we are and it's all agreed and no dramas.'

"And now I heard yesterday it's become very political...they'll get on with it. Or not. Nothing we can do about it."

Deadline or not

Ecclestone did not appear too worried by the situation though, and said he was happy to wait for the Italians to reply.

"I don't know what's going to happen. It's a little bit Italian at the moment," he said.

"The only people that can sort this out are the people that are currently involved in Italy. There's no deadline.

"They can take as long as they like, provided it's by the end of this month."

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/ec...ds-673054/?s=1

[Tifoso]

This sucks completely.

[Rob]

This sucks completely.

Hate to say it, but after this years race, how things stand at the moment, can really see Monza being dropped, maybe Italian GP altogether. I really hope this situation gets sorted out and resolved.

[TigerKing]

Eccelstone knows Italy has to be on the calendar. It's a HUGE market for F1 and the seats are always packed (unlike a certain German Grand Prix). Perhaps Imola or Mugello will make an effort?

[abbottcostello]

I think they seriously need to reconsider their current business model. Unless, of course they're happy with more non-traditional venues & less & less of our favourite places. Can't seem to get a grip on why popularity is diminishing, eh Bernie? Jeesh, just take your eyes off the money for one minute.

[steelstallions]

Millions of viewers have already switched off, now they want to abandon the hard core that actually turn up to a race too!

[wisepie]

Millions of viewers have already switched off, now they want to abandon the hard core that actually turn up to a race too!

This is getting to sound like the beginning of the end for F1, all of the things which made it great and the iconic venues are being threatened for what reason other than money. It's scandalous.

[abbottcostello]

This is getting to sound like the beginning of the end for F1, all of the things which made it great and the iconic venues are being threatened for what reason other than money. It's scandalous.

Meanwhile, CVC continues to skim all the cream. What is so revolutionary about taking care of the health of your "cash cow"?

[justjesper]

Big money pressuring a race track. Perhaps it's time for us the fans to say something. If we dont say enough, it will never get better.

[TigerKing]

Big money pressuring a race track. Perhaps it's time for us the fans to say something. If we dont say enough, it will never get better.

As long as the Saudi princes have oil, our opinions do not matter.

[Nero Horse]

Eccelstone knows Italy has to be on the calendar. It's a HUGE market for F1 and the seats are always packed (unlike a certain German Grand Prix). Perhaps Imola or Mugello will make an effort?

Bernie cares only about the money, nothing else. Who is willing to throw the largest pile of money at him gets to be on the F1 calendar, simple as that.

[FerrariF60]

Bernie cares only about the money, nothing else. Who is willing to throw the largest pile of money at him gets to be on the F1 calendar, simple as that.

that is SAD, simply just sad.....there are ICONIC tracks like Silverstone, Monza, Spa, Suzuka, Monaco....etc, etc that SHOULD ALWAYS be on the F1 calendar.....PERIOD!!!!!!

[abbottcostello]

that is SAD, simply just sad.....there are ICONIC tracks like Silverstone, Monza, Spa, Suzuka, Monaco....etc, etc that SHOULD ALWAYS be on the F1 calendar.....PERIOD!!!!!!

Monaco will be for sure as Bernie/FOM charges them NOTHING! Talk about blatant favoritism!!! And to top it off it is the most profitable weekend of the year for the casinos, so they could easily pay the hosting fees & still enjoy considerable profits. I classify that as obscene.

[TigerKing]

Monaco will be for sure as Bernie/FOM charges them NOTHING! Talk about blatant favoritism!!! And to top it off it is the most profitable weekend of the year for the casinos, so they could easily pay the hosting fees & still enjoy considerable profits. I classify that as obscene.

If anything, Monaco should be paying more than any venues! It's dull and note safe. The only reason it remains on the calendar is to keep the glamour. I wouldn't mind if Monaco gets replaced with Imola or another US venue.

[Rob]

If anything, Monaco should be paying more than any venues! It's dull and note safe. The only reason it remains on the calendar is to keep the glamour. I wouldn't mind if Monaco gets replaced with Imola or another US venue.

Yes, i agree that it can be/is dull. But you can not say to drop Monaco. Monaco is as much ingrained in F1 history as ferrari, Spa, Silverstone, Monza. Its not always the best to watch, i must agree there, but from drivers point, its one of the most unique challenges on the calender. Also the teams find it challenge for set up. I prefer to watch Monaco to Abu Dullbi or Mexico. There also couple other races. Yes i said Mexico. Only reason it seemed good last year was the crowd.

F1 without Monaco be like Indycar without Indy 500. Driver want win races, but to win at Monaco is something even more special.

[zamlatuljko]

Well this is shame, Monza was paying smallest amount of money, now they (Monza) paying much more and that is not enough.

By Concorde agreement Bernie says that every season will be 10 European tracks. For Bernie that means not quality but quantity.

So if he lose Monza, he will put Imola (who lost for same reasons as today Monza), then he will put Mugelo....
Sochi
Spain
Monaco

Baku*
Austria
Great Britain
Hungary
Germany
Belgium
Italy

Bold tracks are legendary and core of F1 Sochi, Baku(yeah European), Austria, Hungary, Imola, France, Holland, Czech...countries With good tracks and capable of making f1 venue. Altering between every two years.

It is more better to watch 80 000 people on full grandstand then 40 000 in China gp with capabilities of 150 000.

I want to believe that Bernie is good guy in hole story because with all his strength and mind tricks he is keeping those Euro tracks, But C.V. is money machine first chance without Bernie we will see much much worse f1 calendar.

[zamlatuljko]

worst day ever

Monza ruled out for 2017

http://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2016...imola/2562784/

[Kyss4k]

worst day ever

Monza ruled out for 2017

http://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2016...imola/2562784/

Are you kidding me?

[wisepie]

Outrageous...if it turns out to be true, F1 will never be the same. Bernie should be strung up if his demands are so excessive. Wonder which venue will be next?

I've just come back to this thread and realise that it may not be totally Bernie's fault, I think even he appreciates the importance of an Italian GP, if not at Monza then possibly Imola. But I don't feel he's helping by blaming the Italians and local powers-that-be for the problem, they know how important the GP is to the local economy and fans alike, so let's hope that something can be salvaged.

[512 TR]

Monza can't be dropped because I've e-mailed some people and Bernie knows I am serious. I'm actually a huge supporter of Mr. Bernard Charles Ecclestone and he knows if he loses Monza I'm basicly going to make him go away. Finito. I've got some persons on my hitlist and Bernie sure does not want to move on to that list. Currently he's not on it and if he plays his cards right, he will never be. But, but, but...there's always a but. I've always felt that the world needs som peace, some stability. Seems some people doesn't share my view.

[TigerKing]

I'm waiting for la gazzetta to draft its article confirming Imola AND Mugello hosting the San Marino and Italian Grands Prix in 2017 respectively. No grand prix in Germany for one year was alright, no French grand prix was alright (Monaco is essentially the same). But no Italian Grand Prix is not possible. There will be more hate than anything FOM can comprehend.

[Rob]

IMOLA IS 'OPTION B' FOR ITALY GP FUTURE

Monday 21 March at 08:35 : Mar.21 (GMM) The death knell is nearing for historic Monza's place on the F1 calendar, according to the latest reports from Italy.

Il Fatto Quotidiano reports that 2016 will be the last Italian grand prix to be held at the fabled Autodromo Nazionale, after negotiations with Bernie Ecclestone broke down terminally.

"There is no more room for negotiating," Italian automobile club (Aci) chief Angelo Sticchi Damiani is quoted as saying.

He added that "personal interests have prevailed", amid suggestions the F1 supremo fell out with the circuit operator Sias and demanded that Monza choose 'F1 or MotoGP' over ambitions to make modifications for motorcycle racing.

So the report said Ecclestone rejected Aci's final race fee offer of EUR 19 million, with Imola and Mugello now in the frame to take over the Italian grand prix.

But Sticchi Damiani was subsequently quoted by Correre della Sera newspaper as rejecting the suggestion that Monza's hopes are now definitely over.

"The negotiations on the future of the Italian grand prix continue," he said. "Monza is option A, although there are great difficulties."

'Option B', it seems, is a return to Imola, the popular Italian circuit that last hosted the San Marino grand prix in 2006.

"I have a clear mandate that the grand prix be in Italy, preferably in Monza," said Sticchi Damiani. "But if we cannot solve that, we have to do it a different way."

http://www.onestopstrategy.com/artic...GP+future.html

[erinha]

Petition to save Monza: https://www.change.org/p/il-gp-d-ita...manere-a-monza

[abbottcostello]

Petition to save Monza: https://www.change.org/p/il-gp-d-ita...manere-a-monza

I signed this right after erinha posted, just checked now - only 3340 signed so far. I tweeted it today - to all 34 of my followers , sigh!

[wisepie]

I signed the petition too, only problem is that now I'm being bombarded with other un-related rubbish. But I did it from the heart!!

[mirafiori]

Is anyone going to Monza this year.????????

[wisepie]

Is anyone going to Monza this year.????????

I wish! I went 3 years ago and it was as chaotic and sensual as ever, that would have been my 5th time since 1967 (yes, I'm that old!). In those days you could get up close and watch quali from above the pits if you had the right pass. Things have changed but Monza is still magic, even more so if there's a chance of a Ferrari victory! Not much chance of going this year unless fortune smiles on me big time!

[zamlatuljko]

@mirafiori

I am going to Monza this year, allready booked in Lesmo.