Finally, it is a matter of pride for the F1 lovers in Italy as Bernie Ecclestone and Italian Grand Prix chiefs finally signed an agreement to keep Formula 1 at Monza for the next three years. F1 Boss Ecclestone met with the president of the Automobile club d’Italia Angelo Sticchi Damiani on Monday to bring the long-running saga to an end. Though it was already announced in September by the Monza bosses that the deal to keep the F1 race has been secured however the contract was not signed.
Imola had taken a legal action as it felt it was not legitimate that the ACI awarded government backing to Monza and not Imola to help fund an Italian GP beyond this year. Thus a court hearing was set for October 26 to assess the case but the same got canceled when Imola withdrew its objection. This paved a way for Monza and Ecclestone to resume talks to offer shape to this deal. Now the agreement has been signed in time for Wednesday’s World motor Sports Council meeting this week where the 2017 race calendar is expected to be offered shape. Monza has been a long host to the grand Prix every year since F1’s inception in 1950, excluding 1980 when Imola played host.
Earlier the future of Italian Grand Prix appeared uncertain before Bernie Ecclestone announced at the 2016 event that an agreement had been reached. But since the agreement was not signed anything was clear but the after the signing of the contract the circuit officials took to the Social media on Tuesday to confirm that the details have been finalized and the contract is locked in place. Thus offering a major relief to many sponsors as well as fans who were eagerly waiting for this confirmation.
The circuit confirmed on its official social media pages, “Commitments kept, the Grand Prix of Italy remains at Monza for the coming years.”
Italian Automobile Club (ACI) president Angelo Sticchi Damiani said, “Despite thousands of difficulties and, with a lot of work, we’ve reached the definitive signing of the Monza contract,” “With this we have just got rid of the awful idea that after 70 years Italy could lose one of the most prestigious, historic and fascinating car races in the world.”
He posted a link on his Twitter feed to a photograph of him and Ecclestone completing the deal.
