Officials launch Monza appeal

Last month's verdict came after a group of Monza residents filed a formal complaint in 2001 about the noises coming from the historic circuit, which hosts the Italian Grand Prix.

The 60-page document handed in by SIAS, the company which manages the Monza autodrome for the Automobile Club Milano, outlines five points to defend the circuit, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

The points listed range from errors in accurately detecting the noise levels, to the fact that the solutions suggested by the judge are based on technical conclusions which the judge himself declared void, to the fact that the decision would disregard noise pollution laws regarding airports and autodromes.

Furthermore, the defense casts doubts over the allegations that there have been health problems, and in that case whether they were caused by the circuit's activities.

Finally, the SIAS claims that, for the good of only six people - the ones complaining about health problems - it's not right to put the job of its 33 employees and the induced activity involving 250,000 more people at risk.

The document also underlines how magistrate Marco Manunta would have taken sides by writing in his verdict that racing is "a superfluous, dangerous and socially useless activity with a big impact on the environment."

A new decision is expected for mid January.