Political progress ’a step forward’ for Monza

Italy’s automobile club chief has admitted political changes this week could be a "step forward" in Monza’s quest for a new grand prix deal.

Reportedly after a running dispute with Bernie Ecclestone, the boss of the circuit operator Sias, Andrea Dell’Orto, stepped down.

"We could say it is a step forward," Angelo Sticchi Damiani, boss of the Italian automobile club Aci, told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"We are confident things will fall into place but to get into Ecclestone’s head is never easy," he added.

Damiani suggested that the biggest sticking point now is a financial one.

"We are always negotiating to reach a meeting point between the demand and what we are offering," he said. "There is a difference that we will try to bridge in a reasonable amount of time."

It is expected the first draft of F1’s 2017 calendar will be compiled in the next two months, so when asked if Monza will be on it, Damiani said: "I really hope so."