Ecclestone says no to Imola reprieve

The Imola event was left out of the calendar published by the FIA earlier this month, but a gap of almost a month at the start of the season suggested there was still a chance for the event to go ahead.

Organisers said last week they were still hopeful of a reprieve, and that the revamp works required by Ecclestone were set to begin.

However, Italy's Repubblica newspaper cites a letter from Ecclestone to Imola mayor Massimo Marchignoli in which the F1 boss rules out a return for the Italian track in 2007.

"In reply to your enquiry as to if we have a contract with Sagis or Mr Bendinelli, the answer is that we do not," Ecclestone writes. "The contract that was in place has been terminated in accordance with the terms and conditions in it.

"I am sorry that we have lost Imola as the original agreement was put together between Mr [Enzo] Ferrari, (then president of Sagis) Mr [Luciano] Conti and myself. I'm sure we will keep in touch as our friendship will last longer than any contract."

Marchignoli said Ecclestone's comments meant there is no hope left for them.

"Ecclestone's letter unfortunately doesn't leave room for doubts," he said. "I wanted to personally understand the situation, to realize whether there were real possibilities to host the GP in 2007.

"Ecclestone was very clear and wanted to reply to me by handing me a short letter which appears very clear to me."

Ecclestone's decision leaves the 2007 calendar with 17 races, one less than this year.