Rome to be second Italian race in 2012, 2013 - mayor

Rome is still on track to host a round of the world championship in 2012 or 2013, the Italian capital's mayor revealed on Wednesday.

A possible street race in the famous city has been on the cards for some time, but it had been thought that political obstacles had thwarted the plans.

But mayor Gianni Alemanno told a morning television programme on Rai 1 television on Wednesday: "From 2012 or no later than 2013, a Grand Prix will take place in Rome.

"This will be the second race for Italy, because the race at Monza is guaranteed," he added.

It is believed the city's EUR district has been selected by Hermann Tilke as the site for the race, where the roads are wider than in the inner city.

Alemanno continued: "There are problems because we have to reach full agreement with the inhabitants of EUR. We have an agreement at the international level.

"There are no certainties, but our promise is very solid," he added.