Italy to Have 2 Formula One Races in 2013

Rome mayor Gianni Allemano

The 2013 Rome GP will not affect in any way the presence of Monza on the scene of the Great Circus. This was made very clear by the very mayor of the Italian capital Gianni Alemanno, who insisted that he will find a way to make a deal with the Monza officials in order to have two Italian races in the 2013 calendar.

The news about setting up a city race through the streets of Rome have circulated in the media through the duration of last season, with several reports suggesting that F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone had already agreed to the race. The year in which the Italian capital would makes its F1 debut was not known though.

Earlier this week, however, the 79-year old Brit revealed to the media that Rome will be part of Formula One's 2013 scheduled, which will include no less than 20 races. Allemano insisted, however, that Rome will become the host of the 2013 European Grand Prix, while leaving Monza the honor to continue as host of the Italian Grand Prix.

“We will organise a grand prix in Rome, but we will make an agreement with Monza. The grand prix of Rome will be a grand prix of Europe. It will not replace the Italian grand prix. It is clear. I spoke yesterday with (Rome GP organiser Maurizio) Flammini that before we start this we will find an agreement with Monza,” said the Rome mayor, according to Italy's Tuttosport.

His comments come to calm down the officials of Monza, who were worried that Rome would replace their historical circuit as the new host of the Italian GP. Shortly after Ecclestone made the announcement, the very mayor of Milan – representative city for the northern part of Italy – Letizia Moratti revealed her worries about the possibility of Autodromo Nazionale losing its place in the series.