Monza retains Italian GP until 2016

Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has openly talked about plans for a street race in Rome, perhaps as early as 2013, in a move that could have brought an end to Monza's long running of the event. Its current contract expired after the 2012 event.

However, just days after Ecclestone spoke openly about Rome, Monza officials confirmed that they have renewed their deal with Ecclestone to keep the event until 2016 - with a view to extending their contract even further.

The new deal ensures that Rome will not be able to have the Italian GP tag - although Monza officials conceded during a press conference at the track that there was still work to do if the event was not to suffer when Rome hosted its first events.

Monza has hosted more Formula 1 grands prix than any other circuit and has only not been on the calender once (in 1980) since the world championship was founded in 1950.