Imola has emerged as a potential candidate to replace Monza as the 2017 venue for the Italian Grand Prix in the event the historic site should fail to secure a contract with FOM.
As Monza appears unable to meet the current terms and the higher fee demanded by Bernie Ecclestone, discussions have apparently been initiated between F1's supremo and the promoters of the former San Marino Grand Prix venue.
According to Italian publication Autosprint, a meeting took place on Monday at FOM's London headquarters between Ecclestone and several Italian officials, which included the mayor of the city of Imola, Daniele Manca.
"We wanted to show Ecclestone the will of the town of Imola to get back to F1," Mayor Manca told Motorsport.com. "But above all to do our part to keep a Grand Prix in Italy."
It is unclear whether conversations were centered around Imola becoming a permanent fixture once again on the F1 calendar, a one-off option for 2017 only or perhaps an alternation venue between other Italian F1 circuits like the Ferrari-owned Mugello site. It is also thought that the discussions may simply be a ploy by Ecclestone to put pressure on Monza's representatives and force a conclusion sooner rather than later to the issue.
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