Angelo Sticchi Damiani, president of the Automobile Club d’Italia, says Monza is "very close" to securing its future in Formula 1.
Monza’s Italian Grand Prix contract is currently set to expire at the end of 2016. Negotiations on a new deal have been ongoing for some time but appear to be closing in on a conclusion.
"Let's say that it is a difficult negotiation," he told ESPN. "It's the first time a sports association in Italy has taken on the burden to organise the Grand Prix with significant funds.
"Around Monte Carlo we found many common points with [Bernie] Ecclestone – there are things that still have to be defined – but I would dare say that we are very close to an agreement despite some actions that, of course, have not helped."
Bernie Ecclestone recently said F1 could return to Imola if a deal with Monza could not be agreed to, but Sticchi Damiani revealed the current home of the Italian GP is the only option.
“Monza because in the Italian financial law it is written that the grand prix should be Monza, not Imola," he explained.
"The involvement of the Automobile Club of Italy, who is involved directly in the running of the grand prix starting next year, is for an Italian Grand Prix running in Monza, not in Imola."
“I hope to have a solution to the future of Monza next month. It's a complicated affair, as you know, but we have worked a lot and we trust we are really very close to a solution."
Discussion about this post