The Italian Grand Prix will remain at Monza for the next three years following an agreement between the promoters and Bernie Ecclestone.
Monza held its first grand prix in 1922 and had been pay off the world championship since the inaugural season in 1950. It has hosted the Italian round every year with the exception of 1980, when the race went to Imola.
Monza’s current contract to hold the race expires after Sunday’s grand prix, and there had been fears the race would be moved to Imola or disappear from the calendar entirely.
Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel welcomed the news. “It’s really good news that Monza will stay for another three years,” he said.
“We need this track in the calendar, it’s fantastic. Monza means history, tradition, racing.”
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Strontium (@strontium)
2nd September 2016, 15:00
A three year deal doesn’t sound promising in the long-term, hopefully this will be extended though, if funding comes through.
Pleased that it’s not the end for Monza and Italy though.
anon
2nd September 2016, 20:37
@strontium, the indication is that it is the ACI that has asked for the deal to be just three years. Equally, I do have to wonder how much political interference there has been with the deal when you have the Prime Minister of Italy dropping into the press conference to give his formal approval to the proposed deal.
Harvey Lorenzo (@boroboy18)
2nd September 2016, 15:05
Even though this will guarantee the race for 2017, 2018, and 2019, at least the timing of this great news is right because it’s at the weekend of this year’s Italian Grand Prix. :)
I hope the Italian GP will continue in 2020 and beyond, and I hope one day to also see the return of the San Marino GP at Imola soon.
petebaldwin (@)
2nd September 2016, 15:05
It was never in doubt in my opinion that they’d keep F1 at Monza. Just another of Bernie’s games.
Strontium (@strontium)
2nd September 2016, 20:03
@petebaldwin I was quite sure it would still be in the calendar, but there was a fair bit of doubt following what happened to Germany last year, and France.
Nevertheless it was indeed one of his games.
Will Wood (@willwood)
2nd September 2016, 15:07
Glad it’s staying at Monza. I always found Imola to be a good track to drive but an awful track for F1 races.
montreal95 (@montreal95)
2nd September 2016, 23:41
@willwood Previous version of Imola was indeed bad for F1 races. But I feel the current version without the last chicane and a super-long straight from Rivazza to Tamburello would be a different story. I’d quite like to have Imola back, but not at the expense of Monza
Girts (@girts)
2nd September 2016, 15:08
Ecclestone on Monza’s future, F1 Fanatic round-up from July 2, 2014:
“I don’t believe we’ll do another contract, as the old one was a disaster for us from a commercial point of view. So it’s bye-bye after 2016.”
https://www.racefans.net/2014/07/02/f1-fanatic-round-0207/
Strontium (@strontium)
2nd September 2016, 20:04
@girts +1
Craig Woollard (@craig-o)
2nd September 2016, 15:09
Good news. F1 needs variety on the calendar and losing Monza would be disastrous. I honestly do not care about the plans to lose Curva Grande. I like the proposed new layout.
petebaldwin (@)
2nd September 2016, 15:35
Same here – I think it is an improvement. Curva Grande doesn’t pose a challenge anymore so I won’t be too sad to see it changed – it’s basically the same thing as turn 3 at Catalunya these days.
LovelyLovelyLuffield
2nd September 2016, 16:17
These days, with a heavy and tight-ass chicane, I agree. But bypass that chicane and it’d be a hoot.
petebaldwin (@)
2nd September 2016, 16:23
Oh yeah definitely – if they hit Curva Grande at pace, it would be an amazing spectacle but approaching it slowly after the first chicane, it’s nothing special.
anon
2nd September 2016, 19:19
@petebaldwin, don’t we effectively already have such a spectacle with Blanchimont in Spa?
GeeMac (@geemac)
2nd September 2016, 15:36
Phew.
The fact that the deal is only for three years worries me, it just kicks the can down the road for a bit…
petebaldwin (@)
2nd September 2016, 15:49
Bernie will hopefully be gone by then – anyone who wants the best for the sport rather than the best for their bank balance would do everything in their power to keep Monza on the calendar.
Strontium (@strontium)
2nd September 2016, 20:05
@petebaldwin Hopefully, but by no means probably. He just seems to hang on forever.
digitalrurouni
2nd September 2016, 16:33
I wish the San Marino GP was back. Just watched the 2005 race. Man that was awesome and the cars were gorgeous!
HUHHII (@huhhii)
2nd September 2016, 17:19
Sad about this. Really hoped to see Imola or Mugello in F1 calendar.
mL
3rd September 2016, 23:31
at the expense of the most historic F1 race on the calendar?? O_o
Akshat
2nd September 2016, 17:42
Yay !
charliex (@photogcw)
2nd September 2016, 19:37
Let’s see how soon in that 3 year period Bernie starts talking up Imola as a replacement track for Italy.
Mike (@mike)
2nd September 2016, 21:41
Is…. Is that Flavio?
Why is he orange?!?
montreal95 (@montreal95)
2nd September 2016, 23:58
I’m glad Monza’s staying. The “cathedral of speed is a unique place in a world of standardized F1 tracks that all look and feel the same
bukester (@bukester)
3rd September 2016, 6:14
Flavio is like the cat with nine lives..with his reputation it’s amazing anyone wants him in an official photo.