Court upholds temporary Monza ban

The ruling reiterates a similar decision taken last November, which followed a formal complaint filed in 2001 by a group of local residents over the track's noise levels.

Last week's hearing came after an out-of-court settlement between the autodrome and the Monza residents could not be reached.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Monza residents were willing to accept a reduction of noisy activity at the track from the current 75 days per year to 60, but the managers of the circuit deemed the restriction too severe and rejected the arrangement.

Monza autodrome director Enrico Ferrari, however, remains cautiously confident. "The main competitions will take place, but a rethinking over the future of Monza will be necessary."

The Formula One Italian Grand Prix is scheduled to take place at Monza on September 10th, while a round of the Grand Prix Masters series is due to be run at the track on June 18th.

The involved parties are expected to meet in court again for a hearing on March 30th.