There is speculation that the Italian capital could stage an F1 race through the streets of the Eternal City in 2013, with the future of the European Grand Prix in Valencia, Spain, considered by many to be in doubt.
However, with the number of rounds likely to be capped at 20, Gianni Alemanno has admitted that he would not want Rome to jeopardise the event at Monza, which recently agreed a new five-year deal to stage a grand prix.
“If you come out as an alternative, and if there is a choice to be made between the two races, we will step back because it is right that the Italian GP remains at Monza,” Alemanno told RAI. “However, we think that the two can co-exist.”
Alemanno continued: “These are two different things – a circuit race and a race in town – and we think there is space for both events on the calendar. They will support one another and, indeed, could think of a single package covering both events. I think it is worth the effort because it would increase tourism and focus international attention on the whole of Italy.”
The promoter of the proposed Rome race, Maurizio Flammini, recently said: “I expect the first race to be in 2013. If the project would have been approved by the end of the year, we would have been ready for 2012.”
