Ferrari’s president and FCA chairman Sergio Marchionne has vowed to step in and negotiate a deal with Bernie Ecclestone to ensure the Italian Grand Prix remains at Monza.
The race is under threat following fresh contract talks in which Ecclestone has demanded more money. The latest talks between the 84-year-old and race organisers resulted in a stalemate, with neither side willing to move.
Marchionne is willing to help Monza bosses to ensure Ferrari’s home race is secure.
“For my part, Monza will not fail,” he said last weekend during the Canadian GP. “If they have problems then we should talk to Bernie.
“If I consider the prospects for Monza, I think the race will not be excluded from the championship.
“If, in order to have this guarantee, we will have to intervene in the negotiations with Ecclestone, we will do that,” he added.
Meanwhile Ferrari’s hopes of securing a strong result in Monza could receive a boost, with Marchionne suggesting the race will be the scene of their next engine update.
“I am satisfied with the hard work the team has already done,” he said, “but we must continue to develop the car with constant technical innovations and Monza will be the next key step in the programme.”
