A Rome Formula One Grand Prix would be unthinkable unless it was merely a one-off race, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo said on Wednesday.
“If it (Rome) was a special grand prix…a one-off for Rome, but not a permanent circuit, then we could talk about it,” he said.
“Italy is one of the countries in the world with the greatest number of circuits—an extraordinary one at Mugello, an historic one at Monza and then Imola, Misano, Vallelunga,” he added.
Rome’s deputy mayor said on Tuesday that the local authorities were weighing up a proposal for a Formula One grand prix through streets on the outskirts of the Italian capital.
Superbike World Championship promoter Maurizio Flammini is spearheading a proposal to bring a Formula One race to Rome and met with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone at a Ferrari ski event earlier this month. Flammini is proposing a race in Rome be added to the calendar by 2011.
Flammini nevertheless believes Rome could have a lot to offer a sport which has recently expanded its roster of street circuits.
“Together we reflected on how much street circuit grands prix represent an interesting opportunity for the growth of F1, as it happened last year with Valencia and Singapore,” he said.
“Being a Roman myself, I feel Rome can give a lot to and get a lot from F1.
“Our hypothesis is to be ready for 2011, but we wouldn’t mind for it to occur earlier than that.
“The Flammini Group can give absolute guarantees quality-wise, but we are yet to find the approval from the Mayor and from the presidents of the region and of the province.”
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