From internet hosting two Grands Prix in recent times, Italy now dangers disappearing from the calendar. The potential approval of the most recent Emergency Decree might result in a change within the presidency of ACI, a growth that enormously considerations Method 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali. This situation jeopardizes the ensures underpinning the latest renewal of the Italian GP till 2031, threatening Monza, Imola, and Sardinia’s presence within the Method 1 and WRC calendars.
The regulatory framework
The dangers for Method 1 in Italy stem from the most recent Emergency Decree awaiting approval, presently below joint evaluation by the Setting and Funds Committees. The invoice proposes introducing time period limits for public entities that additionally act as sports activities federations, together with ACI. There’s a chance that the rule may very well be made retroactive, triggering new elections for the presidency of the Vehicle Membership and invalidating Angelo Sticchi Damiani’s present fourth time period. Including to that is the 2025 Funds Legislation, whose Article 116 obliges ACI to pay €50 million yearly to the treasury, complicating—however not completely halting—the modernization of Monza’s Autodrome.
In an interview with the Italian media final September, the ACI president acknowledged the necessity to modernize the Monza Autodrome as an important situation for maintaining the Grand Prix on the calendar: “An important factor of the contract is the completion of works which have but to be carried out. To resume the contract, we should guarantee these works are accomplished inside sure deadlines.” Lately interviewed by *Autosprint*, Method 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali reiterated this level, emphasizing the pivotal function of ACI President Angelo Sticchi Damiani: “Monza should modernize. I’ve to say that, on this regard, the ACI president has actually stepped up.”
The situations
Stefano Domenicali’s important concern is the potential inside elections at ACI, which might disrupt the well-established collaboration with the present president—a priority he has not hesitated to precise. In line with info from *FormulaPassion*, the required circumstances for sustaining not solely the Method 1 Grands Prix at Monza and Imola but in addition the WRC in Sardinia are in danger. This marks a sudden shift after the six-year extension of the Italian GP celebrated in 2024.
Notably, the renewal of the Monza GP till 2031, signed on November 27, got here only a month after Sticchi Damiani’s reelection on October 16, 2024. The present ACI president is a central determine within the relationship with Method 1, with Monza and Imola’s future relying not simply on monetary concerns but in addition on expertise and particular organizational expertise. “Actually, if Monza doesn’t meet its commitments, a robust candidate with Imola is already ready,” Domenicali warned in *Autosprint*.
In actuality, each Italian Grands Prix are in danger. Stefano Domenicali’s feedback verify the potential of canceling the present contract. Regardless of the renewal signed in November, the settlement features a termination clause at Method 1’s sole discretion if sure circumstances will not be met. Simply as there was aid over the extension till 2031, the Italian GP is as soon as once more below risk, together with Imola’s place and Sardinia’s place within the WRC.