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Monza boss admits Italy GP future again in doubt

Published on 22 Jan 2018 09:47
7
By: Rob Veenstra

Monza boss Angelo Sticchi Damiani has admitted the future of the Italian grand prix is not secure for the future. After a period of uncertainty, the historic race is firmly on the 2018 calendar.

But the boss of the Italian automobile club Aci told La Gazzetta dello Sport: "If conditions do not change we can no longer guarantee the future of the grand prix at Monza. For the 100 year anniversary in 2022, it's only right that the circuit must be adapted," Sticchi Damiani insisted.

He said one major problem is an Italian regulation known as the 'stability law', explaining: "We do not cost the state one euro and we don't ask for anything except that we are not hindered."

Like the other 20 race promoters, representatives of Monza attended a key meeting last week with Liberty Media. Sticchi Damiani said: "What I notice is a general suffering. On the part of Liberty it is because a monstrous investment has been made and now there must be a return. And also (it is true) on the side of the teams, who have even higher costs, and us as organisers who are strangled," he added. (GMM)

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Replies (7)

mcbhargav

Posts: 1,332
Not this again. Let go of the past, and bring out Las vegas race. Ferrari should be agnostic to a Monza race like Merc. did to the german GP.
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- Jan 22 2018 - 15:23
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  No, honestly I'd rather see we'll stick to having races on race tracks. I just dont see how a Vegas race will be fun.
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  Jan 22 2018 - 15:34
- f1dave
  
  Posts: 782
  Just leave the parking lot / street tracks to formula E and have F1 race on real tracks.
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  Jan 22 2018 - 17:34
ajpennypacker

Posts: 2,475
If it's a problem with the contract Bernie set up I'm sure Liberty would be willing to sort it out. If it is (as I am suspecting) related to government corruption then drop them. There are plenty of other venues willing and ready to join. I would definitely love to see another well executed event in the U.S. Something with more flare like Miami, NY, Long Beach, Vegas (if they figure out a good track).
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- Jan 22 2018 - 18:15
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  There was indeed problems with Eccie's deal, but Liberty has already reduced fees and such for Monza. I dont know if they can reduce costs any more for Monza without making other event managers pissed. Problem right now in the U.S is that they are almost exclusively considering street race events, and I cant really imagine a sensible way to arrange a street race in a U.S city while at the same time finding a track which will provide us with fun racing.
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  Jan 22 2018 - 20:23
- ajpennypacker
  
  Posts: 2,475
  @CALLE.ITW I've been hearing this a lot lately. Why don't you think street circuits can be good enough? I'd argue that Singapore and Baku are decent enough circuits. They haven't been more exciting for the same reason every race can be boring: too much aero. I understand the frustration that Monaco brings, but even in that case, we've had good races in the past before all the aero. I definitely didn't use to dread that race like I do now.
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  Jan 22 2018 - 22:24
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Now dont get me wrong, I love Singapore and Monaco. Those are in fact in my top 5 events of the year, and unlike some I still like the racing around Monte Carlo. Its mostly not fun as in lots of overtaking, but its tense racing around a risky track. As for Singapore: night race, lots of slow corners, and all the risks you need to take while overtaking, all of that fit me perfectly. I dont dislike street circuits as a concept, but while many of the street circuits come with benefits like they are often more unique venues compared to the tracks, the problem is that its significantly harder to make a street circuit into something thats actually fun. I personally find Baku to be pretty dull, its mostly just straights. I've looked at some of the mock ups for a Vegas race, and honestly, it doesnt really look fun.
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  Jan 22 2018 - 23:06