Rome’s hopes of hosting F1 grand prix fade

Saturday, 15 January 2011 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

ROME (Reuters) - Rome’s hopes of holding a Formula One grand prix through the streets of the EUR district from 2013 are fading rapidly.

Italy already hosts the popular Monza grand prix and La Repubblica newspaper has published a letter from F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone saying no one wanted two races in the same country.

Rome Mayor Gianni Alemanno, who wanted his city’s event as well as a Monza grand prix, told reporters: “If there must be a choice between the two races we will take a step back.”

Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali has said that with 20 races now on the global calendar including newcomers India, there is no room for two in the same country.

Spain holds the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona and the European Grand Prix in Valencia but the latter could rotate to other nations in the future as F1 expands to new markets.