01/07/2014
NEWS STORY
One of the most historic tracks on the F1 calendar looks set to be dropped, according to Bernie Ecclestone.
The Autodromo Nazionale Monza, which first hosted the Italian Grand Prix in 1922 - long before the formation of the Formula One World Championship as we now know it - and has hosted the country's round of the championship every year except 1980, has enjoyed a difficult relationship with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.
Much like Silverstone, Ecclestone sees the legendary circuit as an anachronism as he attempts to take the sport ‘forward’. Better the brand new bling of Singapore and Abu Dhabi than the fading history of Monza.
"I do not think we'll do another contract, the old one was a disaster from the commercial point of view," he is quoted as saying by the Italian media. "After 2016, bye bye!" he added.
Despite a massive overhaul to the pit and paddock facilities in recent years, which meant the destruction of numerous sights of historic interest, Ecclestone remains unhappy with the circuit and its promoters. The current deal, agreed in 2010, runs out in 2016.
Antonio Rossi, of the Department of Sport and Youth Policy of the Lombardy Region, has called on the government to intervene: "Ecclestone's statement on the Grand Prix at Monza is of great concern, and as a regional councillor I call on the government to help protect the Grand Prix of Italy, which has not only played an important part in the history of Formula 1 and, but also plays an important economic role and brings jobs to the region."
A championship without Monza on the calendar seems unthinkable for though the superfast track has been totally emasculated over the years and is now widely seen as 'point and squirt', it remains one of the most historic and charismatic on the calendar.
Sadly, as ever in F1, there would appear to be an agenda at work, with talk of Mugello being proposed as an alternative venue. This would not be the first time that such a move has been made, the Tuscan circuit, being owned by Ferrari.
Chris Balfe