The ACI in a race against time to keep Monza on the calendar

Time is running out for the Automobile Club d'Italia and Monza. As the Italian Grand Prix enters the final phase of its contract with the F1 which runs until 2025, the ACI is trying to put all the chances on its side so that it is extended beyond the date in question.

For some time now, Formula 1, through its owner Liberty Media, has been putting pressure on the trans federationalpine regarding the level of infrastructure at the Monza Autodrom. This is in fact considered a little too dated by F1 which would like to see the ACI take action with in particular the improvement of the installations of the Temple of Speed ​​such as for example the garages which would be too small at present current according to the governing bodies.

« We have to follow F1 and for that we have to evolve, recognizes Angelo Sticchi Damiani, president of the ACI, in comments reported by Corriere dello Sport. We cannot be alone. The goal is to go beyond 2025, but we need to have the facilities to get there. We invested 44 million, and last year, which went very well, we still lost money because the Autodrome has a very high maintenance cost, independently of the Grand Prix. Today our budget is starting to have difficulties and we cannot be left alone to face this challenge."

Monza, a future in question?

On the sidelines of the presentation of the annual calendar of the Italian route, Angelo Sticchi Damiani indicated that different sites were targeted for the renovation work: bitumen and underground passages. There are currently three of these, located between the two main straight lines and the parabolic, and will be renovated. In addition, the ACI plans to add a fourth still under the parabolic dish to improve traffic flow within the enclosure.

If the schedule of work has not yet been confirmed, the Italian federation is in any case doing everything possible to convince F1 to return to Monza beyond 2025. " We must show Stefano Domenicali and F1 that we are moving seriously and concretely, continues the president of the ACI. We did what we had to do, the rest is just a matter of procedures."

Angelo Sticchi Damiani also took the opportunity to discuss the future of F1 on Italian soil. Hosting two Grands Prix again, with Imola (under contract until 2027), since 2020 and the health crisis, Italy no longer seems to believe in its chances in the face of the appearance of Gulf countries, and other exotic destinations, whose financial support is more substantial.

« We made a miracle to have two races until 2025, he recognizes the leader. You have to be very optimistic to think that they will stay beyond this date. » Hoping that F1 and Liberty Media do not start to abandon historic places for good for new destinations where the passion for motorsport is not the first reason for the arrival of Formula 1...

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