Occasions 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, in the course of the Michael Schumacher period we noticed Germany internet hosting two races, whereas Spain benefitted from the Alonso period. Nevertheless, beneath Liberty Media’s possession, the game has seemed 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 Components One is dealing with a tricky future, for with the calendar strictly restricted to 24 races, and the game seeking to the likes of India (once more), South Korea (once more), Thailand and even Rwanda, there’s discuss, absolutely 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 without any consideration. 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 12 months and hopefully opening up new markets.
“We are going to absolutely nonetheless have Imola and Monza collectively on the calendar as a result of there’s nonetheless a 12 months of contract for Imola,” Damiani tells Sky Italia. “There was discuss in the course of the flood and a bit later about catching up with the 2023 version in 2026,” he provides, referring to final 12 months’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 wish it to proceed, however 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 Pace, has fallen behind the occasions, definitely when in comparison with a number of the venues Liberty has introduced on board lately.
Whereas upgrades to the circuit have been happening for a while, and proceed to take action, Damiani is the primary to confess that rather more must be performed.
“The enhancements have been made on the runway and beneath the monitor,” he says. “We went all the best way to the muse to the highest layer. So we’ve got an ideal monitor from the perspective of the floor and above all strong, capable of final many, a few years and never have any sort of drawback.
“And we’ve got expanded, organized and fully divided the circulate of pedestrians from that of the autos,” he provides, “be it these automobiles, vans and many others, they are going to have lots of area obtainable, so we’ve got additionally elevated safety.
“So far as the renewal of the contract is worried, we should attempt to conclude shortly. What we want is to report, to low cost these prices up to now. However we are going to succeed with the sources we’ve got at our disposal to make the works that have been deliberate in 2019 and that of reworking the present press room into a further area for Components 1, that of the Paddock Membership.
“This implies drastically enriching the provide to Components 1 in hope, certainly, within the perception that every one this will likely be taken under 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 amenities are of a fair decrease commonplace than these at Monza, will likely be equally troubled.
