Jul.28 (GMM) The long and protracted saga over the future of the Italian grand prix may finally be at an end.
The authoritative Italian daily La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that, notwithstanding Imola’s moves to snatch the race, Monza looks to have secured a new four-year deal with Bernie Ecclestone valued at EUR 88 million.
The report said even the F1 supremo confirmed that an agreement is now “very close”.
If confirmed, it will be good news for proponents of keeping Europe’s traditional races on the calendar, although the future of the German grand prix still looks far from secure.
When asked about the fate of tracks like Monza and Hockenheim, Hockenheim chief Georg Seiler told Bild newspaper this week that he thinks Ecclestone understands the dilemma.
“I do not think he is indifferent to Monza or Hockenheim,” Seiler said.
“He does want these traditional tracks to remain. But as long as there are countries that are offering these sums of money, we must also remember that he is operating formula one as a businessman.
“Whether that is always fair is another issue,” he added.