F1 Looking at Imola Return

F1 SET FOR POSSIBLE IMOLA RETURN

    The fate of the Italian GP rests with Italy's motorsports body. Though both Imola management and Bernie Ecclestone have signed an agreement to bring Formula One back to the circuit, the president of the Automobile Club d'Italia is in favour of the Monza track.

    Formula Imola president Uberto Selvatio Estense believes the lack of support from the ACI president Angelo Stricchi Damiani is a political issue.

    "If in the future there is not an Italian GP, it is only the problem of Mr Sticchi Damiani, who didn't allow this agreement," Selvatio Estense told motorsport.com.

    Sticchi Damiani must sign off on the location of the Italian GP, wherever it's to be held.

    In an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Sticchi Damiani clamed the problems that had put Monza's future under question have been cleared up.

    "We finally solved all the problems there were with the territorial entities - the region [of Lombardy], the cities of Milan and Monza, and the park authority.We have found an agreement between ACI milan and SIAS [Monza owners], and we are preparing a binding offer to be sent to FOM."

    If FOM accept the offer, any Imola agreement will be rendered irrelevant.

    Selvatio Estense says Imola is in good financial health, following a restructure of the company. He also believes the track would be "a great success with spectators".

    "We are building up new facilities, we are building up a new press room, we are completing the project of Hermann Tilke that began in 2006. Right now, we are moving the medical centre and building a new one. We are doing a lot."

    The president of the region surrounding the track is also in support of the race, providing Ecclestone and the ACI are happy.

    Monza had beeen hosting the Italian GP since 1950 (bar 1980, when it was held at Imola) and is a fan favourite.

    "The Italian GP is Monza, is part of our tradition, and we cannot allow it to go away," Lombardy region vice-president Fabrizio Sala, told Autosport.

    Sala also claimed his department would be paying 5 million euo a year, and all the other problems facing Monza seem to have been solved.

    Whatever the decision, Imola have said they need an answer by December, so they can properly prepare for the race.

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Article Written By: Bethonie Waring
No copyright infringement intended
Sources: autosport.com, motorsport.com & gazzetta.it