Feb.2 (GMM) Rome’s bid to host a formula one street race should not pose a threat to the future of the existing Italian grand prix at Monza
That is the insistence of Gian Carlo Minardi, the former boss and owner of the Faenza based team that is today known as Toro Rosso
“The grand prix in Monza is untouchable because it is part of the history of the sport,” the Italian, echoing the attitude of Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo, told minardi.it
Monza mayor Marco Mariani last week responded angrily to the Rome reports, accusing the potential organisers of a street race on the outskirts of the capital of trying to “steal” the F1 date from the famous Autodromo Nazionale
But Enrico Gelpi, president of the Italian sanctioning body ACI, played down the fears about Monza being replaced by Rome
“The Italian grand prix is staying at Monza,” he is quoted as saying by La Gazzetta dello Sport
“Even (Rome GP promoter) Flammini acknowledges that a Rome GP must not interfere with the one of Monza.”n