F1: Another threat to Monza's Italian GP?

Nothing says Formula 1 quite like Monza, home of the Italian Grand Prix, but in recent years the venerable Autodrome has also become a symbol of the struggle for F1 dates between modern, advanced facilities and the tracks that date back to the sport's roots. F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone has been a frequent critic of Monza and has threatened on several occasions to move the Italian GP elsewhere. Earlier this year he noted that the race's current contract, which runs through 2016, is a commercial "disaster".

Although a compromise has always been found to save Monza's race from previous threats, reports in the Italian press suggest that the country's governing finance laws require a significant increase in taxation for the track, which the facility may be unable to pay. The Italian senate is refusing to allow amendment of the law to allow a tax exemption of some 20 million euros ($24m) to cover the additional expense.

Former F1 driver Ivan Capelli, who this year became a director of the automobile club of Milan and has been instrumental in staving off previous threats to Monza's GP, indicated that he would do whatever is necessary to keep the race.

"Our commitment to find the resources needed is clear," he told Italy's La Stampa newspaper.