The Italian Grand Prix could move to Imola if negotiations with Monza organisers fail, with Imola's circuit chief Uberto Selvatico Estense confirming the circuit has a contract to do so, starting in 2017.
It comes as Bernie Ecclestone has cast doubt over a new deal with Monza organisers, admitting on Saturday in Azerbaijan that he "doesn't know" where the Italian GP will be held.
"We need to rely a little bit on the national sporting authorities in the country for support, so if it doesn't happen in Monza and they want to support it then we'll be in Imola. I hope it's sorted out. It's up to their national sporting authority to decide," he said.
"At the moment I don't know, I really don't know [what will happen]. They [Monza] know when it [the deadline] is in order to be on the calendar."
Imola's Selvatico Estense revealed to La Repubblica, that they have a signed contract with Ecclestone to take over the rights for the Italian GP, but admitted it only comes into effect if nothing is struck with Monza.
"After four years of negotiations [with Monza] that made him lose patience, Ecclestone called us and gave us the same conditions," he said.
"We accepted. So we signed a contract for the Italian Grand Prix from 2017."
Meanwhile Ecclestone also cast doubt over the Brazilian GP's future, citing Argentina as a possible replacement.
"The chances are it won't happen [next year]," Ecclestone said of the race at Sao Paulo, adding: "We are talking to them [Argentina] all the time."
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