Monza in bid to secure future at Monaco
Italian Grand Prix officials are to hold talks with Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone at Monaco this weekend to help try to secure the future of the Monza race.
Photo by: Alex Galli
Monza chiefs are facing a fight to put together a new deal, in the wake of Ecclestone’s demands that the circuit must pay more to keep the race after next year.
Motorsport.com understands that a meeting has now been arranged for the Monte Carlo F1 weekend to try to move talks forward.
Drivers want it to stay
Doubts about the Monza race have angered fans, and a number of drivers are also worried about its future.
Speaking in Spain, Fernando Alonso was clear about how much he liked the Monza race – but accepted that Germany’s fate this year highlighted how no event could be guaranteed.
“I think it's one of the best races of the year,” he said. “The podium is amazing there with all the fans on the main straight. It's the home of Ferrari – it's very important for Formula 1.
“But also the German Grand Prix is very important and it's not any more this year, so, who knows.”
Ecclestone says race must pay
Ecclestone has said several times recently that all he wants is for Monza to pay the same as other European races.
Speaking to Gazzetto dello Sport last month, Ecclestone said: “It's a very simple situation. Two years ago I made a deal with one of the people who are no longer involved.
"For Monza we applied the same economic conditions of the other European circuits [€20M for every GP]. All done, all good, we shook hands, but after that meeting nothing happened.
"There is a contract for the 2015 race, but not for future seasons. Yes, Monza is a part of F1 history, but they must pay."
The Italian GP did appear on a draft 2016 calendar that emerged recently.
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