Lombardy says Ferrari to help Monza keep F1

Ferrari is willing to help Monza keep the Italian grand prix.

That is the claim of regional Lombardy president Roberto Maroni, just a day after he vowed to "to go war" with Bernie Ecclestone over the endangered future of the historic track.

"The right way is to apply pressure, involving public opinion, the Italian government and Ferrari," he said.

"So I would like Ferrari to say ’If there is no longer a grand prix at Monza, Ferrari will no longer participate in formula one’," Maroni added.

Maroni then met with Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne on Monday at the opening of an Alfa Romeo museum, according to Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport.

He said: "I asked Marchionne to support our initiative and he told me he will do whatever needs to be done, as Ferrari, to keep the grand prix at Monza.

"I am very satisfied, and now we go on with our battle to ensure the race continues, because there can be no formula one without Monza," Maroni added.