Occasions have modified in F1, and Angelo Sticchi Damiani, president of Italy’s vehicle 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, underneath Liberty Media’s possession, the game has regarded 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 System 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 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 may be nonetheless a 12 months of contract for Imola,” Damiani tells Sky Italia. “There was discuss in the course of the flood and somewhat later about catching up with the 2023 version in 2026,” he provides, referring to final 12 months’s cancelled occasion. “That is the primary aim.
“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, but it surely at all times 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 a few 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 had been made on the runway and underneath 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 standpoint of the floor and above all sturdy, in a position to final many, a few years and never have any form of downside.
“And we’ve got expanded, organized and utterly divided the circulate of pedestrians from that of the autos,” he provides, “be it these automobiles, vans and many others, they may have loads of area out there, so we’ve got additionally elevated safety.
“So far as the renewal of the contract is worried, we should attempt to conclude rapidly. What we’d like is to report, to low cost these prices to this point. However we are going to succeed with the assets we’ve got at our disposal to make the works that had been deliberate in 2019 and that of remodeling the present press room into a further area for System 1, that of the Paddock Membership.
“This implies significantly enriching the supply to System 1 in hope, certainly, within the perception that each 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 services are of an excellent decrease normal than these at Monza, will likely be equally troubled.
