Monza now ’close’ to new seven year F1 deal

A new contract to secure the future of the historic Italian grand prix at Monza is now "close" to being signed.

That was the claim late on Friday of Angelo Sticchi Damiani, the chief of the Italian automobile club (Aci).

A recent legislative tweak means the Aci can now take on the bulk of the responsibility for funding the fee payable to Bernie Ecclestone, which had earlier endangered the future of the race at the fabled Autodromo.

"The Autodromo di Monza has had difficult times," Italian media on Friday quoted Sticchi Damiani as saying, "but the worse is over now.

"Today we are close to signing with Ecclestone in order to have the formula one grand prix in Brianza for another seven years," he revealed.

"We are going to win the battle that led Aci to making tremendous sacrifices," said the club’s president.