Domenicali: No space for two races in Italy

A short comment by Luca di Montezemolo at the traditional Christmas dinner with the Italian F1 media has drawn Ferrari into the debate over the chance of hosting a grand prix in Rome.

Previously, the famous Italian marque has been reluctant to comment on the controversy, with Monza and its supporters fiercely opposed to the capital’s serious plans for an event in the EUR district.

But Luca di Montezemolo is reported to have finally made his position clear with Italian media this week when he said he would like to see "a one race per nation limit".

But Rome mayor Gianni Alemanno is quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport: "The president of Ferrari told me that he has never said anything indicating that he is against a one-off race in the capital."

Ferrari has moved to clarify its stance with a statement by team boss Stefano Domenicali. He addressed the issue as he left for a meeting with his FOTA colleagues in London. “Our position is very clear and leaves no room for interpretation,” said Domenicali. “Our sport is increasingly expanding the number of countries hosting a grand prix and all the teams are in agreement about that. Therefore it is inevitable that it will no longer be possible to have two races in the same nation."

"It’s not the job of the teams who choose where a grand prix is held, that’s up to the commercial rights holder. Everything else is pure speculation,” he added.

Mayor Alemanno confirmed that he is meeting this week with local residents and committees in the EUR district to talk about issues including the proposed Rome grand prix.