Imola presses ahead with revamp plans

Imola will press ahead with circuit modifications later this month, despite next year's San Marino Grand Prix appearing to have no chance of getting its place back on the Formula One calendar

The pit building at the Circuit Enzo e Dino Ferrari will be destroyed by dynamite on November 19, prior to renovation work going ahead to create new facilities.

Although the Grand Prix has been dropped from next year's schedule, Imola mayor Massimo Marchignoli told Gazzetta dello Sport that the circuit was still looking ahead to getting the race back in 2008 - which is why the work is happening and new race organisers are being appointed.

"Imola wants to maintain the prestige of its circuit," he said. "I'm convinced the absence of Formula One will be just a one-year thing, and we'll get it back for the 2008 season.

"In the meantime, on our part, the first step will be to change the management of the track, because Sagis (previous organisers) lacked the financial conditions demanded by Bernie Ecclestone to meet the new contract requests. This change should happen very soon, already before the end of the year."

Sagis president Federico Bendinelli responded: "We'll evaluate what steps to take. At the very least we will demand of the town of Imola what we are due for the investments done through the years in order to satisfy the needs of the circuit."