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.
Through the years, through the Michael Schumacher period we noticed Germany internet hosting two races, whereas Spain benefitted from the Alonso period. Nonetheless, underneath 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 at the moment three occasions.
Consequently, Europe, the birthplace and conventional heartland of System One is dealing with a troublesome 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 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’ll certainly 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 through 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 objective.
“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, 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 instances, definitely when in comparison with among 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 finished.
“The enhancements had been made on the runway and underneath the observe,” he says. “We went all the way in which to the inspiration to the highest layer. So we have now an ideal observe from the viewpoint of the floor and above all strong, in a position to final many, a few years and never have any form of downside.
“And we have now expanded, organized and utterly divided the movement of pedestrians from that of the autos,” he provides, “be it these vehicles, vans and many others, they may have lots of house out there, so we have now 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 assets we have now at our disposal to make the works that had been deliberate in 2019 and that of reworking the present press room into an extra house for System 1, that of the Paddock Membership.
“This implies enormously enriching the provide to System 1 in hope, certainly, within the perception that each one this will probably be taken into consideration in setting the settlement for the subsequent 5-10 years.”
Being the house circuit of F1 CEO, Stefano Domenicali, it’s unlikely that Imola, whose amenities are of a good decrease commonplace than these at Monza, will probably be equally troubled.
