Instances have modified in F1, and Angelo Sticchi Damiani, president of Italy’s car membership, admits that his nation is fortunate to host two rounds of the world championship.
Over time, throughout the Michael Schumacher period we noticed Germany internet hosting two races, whereas Spain benefitted from the Alonso period. Nevertheless, underneath Liberty Media’s possession, the game has appeared away from Europe in the direction of pastures new, not forgetting its personal yard, the place there are presently three occasions.
Consequently, Europe, the birthplace and conventional heartland of Formulation One is dealing with a tricky future, for with the calendar strictly restricted to 24 races, and the game trying to the likes of India (once more), South Korea (once more), Thailand and even Rwanda, there may be discuss, totally supported by the likes of Zak Brown, of some occasions getting used on a rotational foundation.
With that in thoughts, Damiani is grateful that Italy nonetheless has two occasions, at Monza and Imola, although he is not taking something as a right. Certainly, although each circuits have contracts for 2025, who is aware of how issues will play out, particularly with F1 bosses hoping that the imaginatively titled film F1 popping out subsequent yr and hopefully opening up new markets.
“We are going to certainly nonetheless have Imola and Monza collectively on the calendar as a result of there may be nonetheless a yr of contract for Imola,” Damiani tells Sky Italia. “There was discuss throughout the flood and somewhat later about catching up with the 2023 version in 2026,” he provides, referring to final yr’s cancelled occasion. “That is the primary purpose.
“As soon as the contract for Monza is outlined and closed, we are going to focus and get to work physique and soul for Imola,” he provides. “Having two Grands Prix in Italy is a dream. We all know it is a dream and we would like it to proceed, nevertheless it all the time stays a dream.”
Although a long-time favorite of followers and drivers alike, the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, the so-called Cathedral of Velocity, has fallen behind the occasions, definitely when in comparison with among the venues Liberty has introduced on board in recent times.
Whereas upgrades to the circuit have been occurring for a while, and proceed to take action, Damiani is the primary to confess that rather more must be carried out.
“The enhancements have been made on the runway and underneath the monitor,” he says. “We went all the way in which to the muse to the highest layer. So we now have an ideal monitor from the perspective of the floor and above all strong, in a position to final many, a few years and never have any type of drawback.
“And we now have expanded, organized and utterly divided the circulate of pedestrians from that of the automobiles,” he provides, “be it these vehicles, vans and many others, they are going to have plenty of area out there, so we now have additionally elevated safety.
“So far as the renewal of the contract is anxious, we must attempt to conclude rapidly. What we’d like is to report, to low cost these prices so far. However we are going to succeed with the sources we now have at our disposal to make the works that have been deliberate in 2019 and that of reworking the present press room into an extra area for Formulation 1, that of the Paddock Membership.
“This implies enormously enriching the provide to Formulation 1 in hope, certainly, within the perception that every one this will probably be taken into consideration in setting the settlement for the following 5-10 years.”
Being the house circuit of F1 CEO, Stefano Domenicali, it’s unlikely that Imola, whose services are of a fair decrease customary than these at Monza, will probably be equally troubled.