F1: Ecclestone says Italy GP future "a bit like Germany"

Italy's future on the Formula 1 calendar is in a similar position to that of Germany before it was dropped for this season, says F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone.

The country is one of only two – Britain being the other – which has hosted a grand prix every year since the world championship started in 1950. Monza has hosted the Italian Grand Prix for all but one of those years, with the 1980 event being held at Imola, but its deal runs out at the end of 2016.

"We will have to wait and see," said Ecclestone. "They don't have an agreement – a bit like Germany, really."

If the Italian Grand Prix goes, it will follow Germany – which was axed this year for the first time since 1960 – and France, which was dropped in 2008.

When it was suggested that losing the race would be unthinkable, Ecclestone said: "I tell you something, I was told that when we didn't have a race in France. And Germany now. We've got some good replacements, haven't we?"

AZERBAIJAN RACE WILL HAPPEN

Ecclestone has given the go-ahead for Azerbaijan's street circuit in Baku to make its debut next year under the Grand Prix of Europe banner, despite concerns raised by activists about its human rights record.

"Baku? No problem," said Ecclestone. "That's going to be another good race."

When asked if the country's human rights record will be checked, he replied: "We have. I think everybody is seems to be happy – there doesn't seem to be any big problems there."

Originally on Autosport.com