Gianni Alemanno told Repubblica that he had received a letter from Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone informing him that Italy would not be allowed to hold two races in the same season.
However, Alemanno reiterated that Rome would not press for a spot on the calendar if such a move could threaten the historic circuit at Monza, which has hosted F1 since the start of the championship in the 1950s.
“In the last letter sent by Bernie Ecclestone, it is obvious that on his part Rome hasn't been rejected whatsoever, but there is the decision to grant Italy just one grand prix, either at Monza or Rome, or in both cities but in alternated seasons,” Alemanno said. “This decision is new, and comes after a long period of time where the Formula One Management president reasserted, to me personally as well, his will to stage two grands prix in Italy, a national one in Monza and a special one in Rome.”
Alemanno added: “The new agreements, which will see Ecclestone renewing the contracts with the F1 circuits, have moved the teams to ask for a limit in the number of races to be held at both national and international level. In light of this turning point, it's obvious that more thinking is needed over the Rome GP project. In fact, we have always maintained that if it came down to a choice between Rome and Monza, we would have taken a step back.”
Alemanno continued: “Next week, after the municipality's presentation, we will hold a press conference where we will finalise our decision and present the results of a survey, demanded by the citizens’ committees, over the popularity of the race project.”
