Despite being left off the FIA’s provisional calendar for 2007, organisers of the San Marino grand prix at Imola are confident that the annual race will be staged next April.
The governing body published a 17-race schedule for next season on Tuesday, but Imola mayor Massimo Marchignoli insisted that the ultimate calendar will feature 18 grands prix if the Italian circuit completes renovation works.
Indeed, hinting at Imola’s return to formula one is an unusual four-week gap – between dates for Bahrain and Spain – coinciding with the event’s customary April slot.
A definitive calendar will be published in October.
”Only a few days ago, Bernie Ecclestone told the president of (race organiser) Sagis that the race would be held on April 29,” Marchignoli told ‘ANSA’.
The cost of Imola’s required renovations, which have not yet begun, is estimated at $12.3m.
GMMF1
DailyF1News.com
