One of the effects of the Formula 1 fever that has exploded in recent years has been the consequent increase in admission tickets sold, and the interest from local governments and organizers who have seen in the top category an opportunity to retrain and put their own roots. Secure a place in calendar, keep it it's not simple at all. The negotiations with Liberty Media, for bureaucratic issues and authorizations are long. The often unsustainable costs reduce the list of countries with a certain economic availability. Space is limited and suitors are many. In such a scenario not even the historic Grands Prix, like Monza and Imola are safe. The ACI president, Sticchi Damiani admitted that the efforts to keep the two historic Italian appointments on the calendar may not be enough.
Difficulties with the budget
“We have an existing contract for Monza and Imola until 2025, after which everything is to be defined” – these are the words of the ACI president, who would not like to see the two home Grands Prix end up like those in France or Germany. The calendar having many appointments plays on limited times. A single delay or inefficiency can compromise the entire event. Bureaucracy imposes certain times, jeopardizing the implementation of redevelopment projects, or to host new grandstands, such as the one for Monza.
"For Monza we will shortly present the projects on the underpasses and the feasibility study for the grandstands and the paddock area – says Sticchi Damiani. “Ma it is clear that the times do not depend on us. As soon as we have the green light we will proceed with the tenders or if there will be a commissioner to speed things up. It takes months to work, if the company that wins the contract guarantees me that everything will be in order before the GP in September, I will start, otherwise I prefer to wait three more months but be sure that things are done to order of art".
Sticchi Damiani: "ACI alone cannot do it"
The risk is to find yourself in unpleasant situations like those of last year in Monza, with the "abusive" grandstands and the Fan Zone confiscated a few days before the event. “Something pops up every once in a while and we find ourselves dealing with old problems” denounces the ACI president who also dwells on the question of costs: “Despite last year's record edition we lost money due to the high management costs independent of the Grand Prix“, a scenario that, despite being negative, is not among the worst, such as that of 2021, in which, despite the limited capacity due to Covid, Liberty Media charged the GP fee in full, causing it to accumulate debts. A situation that cannot be managed by ACI alone and which in the long run, if not addressed with due urgency, could leave Italy without tenders after 2025.
Source statements: Automoto.it
