Monza isn’t interested in sharing the Italian Grand Prix with Imola, according to former Formula 1 driver and president of the Automobile Club of Milan, Ivan Capelli.
The race is under threat after organisers failed to agree upon a new deal with Bernie Ecclestone, despite numerous meetings.
That led to Imola stepping forward as a potential candidate to take over the event, a move which received the support of 84-year-old Ecclestone.
However Capelli insists Monza isn’t even entertaining the idea of rotating the race and hopes the move will act as a catalyst in getting Monza officials to step up and sign a new deal.
“Let’s say the fact that Imola are saying they are ready is probably waking up a little bit the politicians in Rome who must actually support the GP,” he told Motorsport.
“Everybody’s experience shows that that kind of situation [race sharing] is not good for F1. In Spain it didn’t work, in Germany it didn’t work, it didn’t work in Japan with Suzuka and Fuji.”
However Capelli admitted that if sharing the race with Imola was the only solution to keeping Italy on the calendar, then it must be considered.
“We have a contract that is there and we would like to renew this contract. But as a sportsman, I am saying that if the alternating race is the only option that we have to not lose the GP of Italy, they we have to consider it.”
