Organizers at Imola are to push ahead with a redevelopment programme despite the fact that the San Marino Grand Prix has been omitted from the provisional calendar for 2007.

The planned redevelopment programme, which includes a new pit and paddock complex, and the removal of the Variante Bassa chicane, will begin in early October, with completion due in March.

The £7m project is vital if Imola is to retain its place on the calendar, with Bernie Ecclestone demanding that the work be completed if the track is to host a race in 2007.

When the FIA announced its provisional 2007 schedule last month, both the San Marino and European Grands Prix were missing. However, just 24-hours after the calendar had been made public, the Mayor of Imola, Massimo Marchignoli, said that he remained hopeful the town's race track, which has hosted twenty-six San Marino Grands Prix and one Italian Grand Prix, would host an F1 race in 2007.

"We're not dead yet," he said. "Only a few days ago, Bernie Ecclestone told the president of SAGIS (the company that runs the Imola circuit) that the race would be held on April 29.

Imola has a contract to host an F1 race until 2009, providing all the required modifications have been carried out.