Zoom Ferrari integral to F1 in Italy

Rome is pushing ahead with its plans to join the Formula One calendar, but a huge spanner in the works is the sport's current political spat.

"I do not want to consider the idea of a Grand Prix of Rome without Ferrari," the Italian city's Mayor Gianni Alemanno is quoted as saying by Corriere dello Sport on Thursday.

Nonetheless, despite the famous Italian team's threatened exit from the sport, the plans for a 4.7km street circuit in the 1930s Eur district - comprising more than $200m of private investment - were unveiled.

"We are going to set up a promotional committee and then officially launch our candidature," said Alemanno.

A formal bid to F1's authorities has not yet been made, but a target debut date of 2012 was set.

Source: GMM
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