Monza could miss out on 2016 Grand Prix

Sport360 staff 07:25 05/09/2015
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  • Iconic: Monza.

    Negotiations to extend Monza’s contract to host the historic Italian event beyond next year (2016) have not progressed smoothly.

    F1’s veteran commercial ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone said a renewal was “unlikely” because the Monza management “don’t want to pay” to host the race.

    He told reporters that it was clear “at the moment, that a renewal is unlikely on the basis of the fact that they don’t want to pay for it”.

    The development is serious because Monza has been on the F1 calendar on all but one year since the inaugural world championship in 1950.

    Autosport reported that Ecclestone is seeking €25million per year while €15m is the amount being offered. The F1 chief feels Monza must pay the same fee as other European events.

    “This has been going on for two and a half years, and it’s up to them to make up their mind,” Ecclestone was quoted as saying by the website.

    “The bottom line is we’ve got something to sell and they have to decide whether they want to buy it. The price we are asking for is the same as the other people in Europe are paying.

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    “It shouldn’t be a drama, but they haven’t been able to make it work, probably for lots of reasons.”

    It’s a sensitive issue also for the region’s political class. Last week, Italian premier Matteo Renzi warned: “Leave Monza alone! That’s what we’re going to tell Ecclestone. F1 doesn’t rely solely on money. It’s also about history.”

    Meanwhile, Lotus boss Matthew Carter insists the cash-strapped outfit will survive the remainder of the season.

    The British team, who had their cars and trucks released by bailiffs for this week’s Italian Grand Prix after they were seized in Belgium, are in discussions with Renault over a buyout.

    “We have had financial issues and everyone is aware of them. We are working as hard as we can to sort them out. None of them have become terminal. We are still here, we are still racing, and we will continue to do that,” Carter said.

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