Imola presses ahead with upgrades

The Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari has been under pressure for several years to improve its pit and paddock buildings, but work has been stalled as circuit owners SAGIS attempted to find the necessary budget.

With the finances now in place, the track owners have appointed German track architect Hermann Tilke to design and build the new pit building - which is planned to be ready in time for next year's race.

There are suggestions, however, that with work on the buildings not due to start for several months then there may be a need for the San Marino Grand Prix to move further back in the calendar next season to allow the construction to be completed.

The new pits will be 270 metres long, with 30 garages incorporated into the structure. The race control building will be three storeys tall. The cost of the work is estimated at £7 million ($13 million).