Rome will host a Formula One grand prix after a five-year contract for a street race in the Italian capital was signed at Monza on Friday.
The race will feature on the calendar as early as 2012 after F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone and organiser Maurizio Flammini rubber stamped the agreement.
"Congratulations for the results he (Flammini) has delivered," said Rome mayor Gianni Alemanno. "I hope Rome's grand prix can start in 2012."
The agreement means that there will be two grands prix in Italy, with the historic Monza venue certain to remain on the calendar.
"The Monza race will remain -- it won't be destroyed by Rome's."
Alemanno's sentimants were not shared by Monza director Enrico Ferrari, who thinks the venue's status will be adversely affected by a Rome grand prix.
"Where once it was difficult to find sponsors, now it will be impossible," Ferrari told La Stampa newspaper. "The big companies have a budget, so if today they were giving us 100, tomorrow they will give us 50 and Rome 50."
The only possible obstacle for the race going ahead is in getting consent from the region's local EUR district.
"There are problems because we have to reach full agreement with the inhabitants of EUR. We have an agreement at the international level. There are no certainties, but our promise is very solid," added Alemanno.
Source: ESPNF1
The race will feature on the calendar as early as 2012 after F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone and organiser Maurizio Flammini rubber stamped the agreement.
"Congratulations for the results he (Flammini) has delivered," said Rome mayor Gianni Alemanno. "I hope Rome's grand prix can start in 2012."
The agreement means that there will be two grands prix in Italy, with the historic Monza venue certain to remain on the calendar.
"The Monza race will remain -- it won't be destroyed by Rome's."
Alemanno's sentimants were not shared by Monza director Enrico Ferrari, who thinks the venue's status will be adversely affected by a Rome grand prix.
"Where once it was difficult to find sponsors, now it will be impossible," Ferrari told La Stampa newspaper. "The big companies have a budget, so if today they were giving us 100, tomorrow they will give us 50 and Rome 50."
The only possible obstacle for the race going ahead is in getting consent from the region's local EUR district.
"There are problems because we have to reach full agreement with the inhabitants of EUR. We have an agreement at the international level. There are no certainties, but our promise is very solid," added Alemanno.
Source: ESPNF1
