Report: Rome grand prix deal agreed

Bernie Ecclestone has agreed a deal which would see Formula One come to the streets of Rome, according to course planner Maurizio Flammini.

A Rome grand prix, raced through the streets of the Italian capital much like that of Monaco, has been in planning for over a year and a half.

And Flammini, the creator of the idea, has revealed they have now been given the green light by the Formula One supremo.

“The agreement with Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone to give life to the Rome Grand Prix has already been done and signed,” he told Sky Italia.

“The appropriate course still has to be defined.”

Italy already has a grand prix on the world championship circuit, in Monza.

There were fears when plans for a Rome grand prix were first mooted that it would replace the historic track which has been a more or less permanent fixture in the Formula One calendar since 1922.

However, the mayor of Rome, Gianni Alemanno, insists it will serve as a second Italian grand prix.

“We think the Rome Grand Prix would be very important and we are in favour of it,” he said. “And it’s not true that it is an alternative to Monza.

“Monza is a grand prix on the circuit, and the grand prix of Rome is integrative to that of Monza, it’s not a replacement.

“We have calculated that there will be an income of one billion euros a year with this grand prix and Rome needs to renew its tourist appeal.

“Not only the past, archaeology and monuments, but also the future, something which is aimed at families and youngsters.”