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Ecclestone In Favor of Rome GP in 2013

Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone dismissed rumors about a potential Rome Grand Prix to be hosted by the Italian capital in 2010 or 2011. However, he did suggest that Rome is on top of the list for hosting an F1 race in, say... 2013.

As reported by Spanish news agency EFE, the F1 supreme has recently sent a letter to Rome mayor Gianni Alemanno, telling him that such an event would take a long time to be set up. The next 2 or 3 years would be a too shorter period for the Roman officials to prepare a decent layout and all the other necessary adjustments in order to secure a successful Grand Prix.

However, Ecclestone is very much into the idea of seeing F1 cars battling wheel to wheel on the streets of the historical city of Rome, envisioning a well-organized event in 2013. With this letter, Ecclestone wanted to bring reassurances to the Rome mayor that he is considering his offer for the future.

In addition, the 78-year old Brit insisted that he's keeping a close correspondence with Superbike promoter Maurizio Flammini on the potential debut of Rome in the F1 calendar.

“I am working with Maurizio Flammini and I have told him that, if certain conditions are respected, there could be a Rome race in 2013,” said Ecclestone, according to the aforementioned source.

The letter did not specify, however, whether this would be a one-off in the F1 schedule or become a long-term commitment. The possibility of Rome taking the place of Monza as host of the Italian Grand Prix has set up an outspoken conflict within the Italian Parliament, as members of the Northern League have accused the Roman officials of trying to rob Northern region of Italy of an historic asset.
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