Now Monza wants GP contract through 2021

With a new contract through 2016 in the bag, Monza is now working on securing the future of the historic Italian grand prix for an additional five years, mayor Marco Mariani has confirmed.

Sias, the company that manages the famous Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, has confirmed that a new contract through 2016 has been signed with F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone.

The extension of the deal, which was set to expire in 2012, ended real fears that Ecclestone was prepared to replace Monza with a Rome street race in 2013.

"The news reported by Sias is very positive, but from tomorrow we will start working on a further extension of the grand prix at Monza until at least 2021," mayor Mariani is quoted as saying by La Gazzetta dello Sport.

He added that he does not even support the "coexistence" of Monza alongside Rome on a future F1 calendar, but the Italian capital’s mayor Gianni Alemanno does not agree.

"By 2012 or 2013 Italy can boast the enviable situation of having two grands prix, which will be mutually beneficial in promoting tourism and sports," he said from Rome.

Tuttosport said the new Monza contract was signed last week.