Imola to return to Formula 1?

Editor

The iconic Imola race track has thrown its hat in the ring to replace Monza as venue of the Italian Grand Prix.

The future of the Italian GP is in doubt as Monza's contract with the sport's commercial rights holder runs out after the 2016 campaign and promoters are not very hopeful of securing a new deal.

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has also admitted he doesn't care if the race drops off the calendar if they fail to meet his financial requirements.

However, the country has been given fresh hope with officials from Imola, who last hosted a Formula 1 race in 2006, revealing they have held discussions with Ecclestone 

Mayor, Daniele Manca, who met the F1 boss along with Uberto Selvatico Estense, President of Formula Imola, and Stefano Manara, President of CON.AMI, says they presented a good plan.

"We wanted to show Ecclestone how willing Imola was to get Formula 1 back – but also do our part to keep the Grand Prix in Italy," Manca told Motorsport.com.

"We presented our plan to relaunch the circuit, outline the investments we have made and what we plan to do in the coming years with our infrastructure."

Should they reach an agreement then Imola will be back on the calendar in 2017 and Manca feels they will be ready.

"There are issues to sort out – and one factor is obviously the economy," he added.

"But Ecclestone has agreed to check the timeframe and conditions under which it would be possible to get Formula 1 back to Imola. The target is 2017."