There is no hope for the Formula 1 San Marino Grand Prix to be hosted here next year, local officials have confirmed.
On his return from London, Imola Mayor Massimo Marchignoli said he had been given a letter in London directly from Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, who said he was "sorry" that the race would not be on next season's calendar. The cancellation of the race did not come as a surprise after the world racing federation FIA approved its definitive 2007 schedule last week which listed only 17 races.
FIA's draft calendar in August had left a slot open for an 18th race but FIA said last week no agreement had been reached to add the race.
In his letter to the Imola mayor, Ecclestone confirmed that no contract had been signed with either the race organizers or the track's operators to host the Grand Prix. Ecclestone said he was particularly sorry to see the San Marino race disappear because he had been present when it was
originally agreed to stage a Formula 1 Grand Prix in Imola and shook hands with the late Enzo Ferrari and the track's operator Luciano Conti to seal the deal.
The San Marino Grand Prix was one of the oldest races in Formula 1 and had been staged at the Imola track, now named after Enzo and Dino Ferrari, for 26 years. Although the San Marino Grand Prix had originally been dropped in August, hopes that the race would be reinstated,
filling in the empty slot, rose a week later when the Italian government confirmed funding to allow necessary work on the track.
Ecclestone had also left open the door by telling the mayor of Imola that the race could be staged "if there are all the necessary economic guarantees" from the company which operates the track, Sagis. The future of the San Marino Grand Prix originally came into doubt in early 2004 when Ecclestone told an Italian sports daily that the 2004 race at Imola would be the last.
He later backtracked, after speaking with local and national Italian government officials, and the contract was extended in exchange for a commitment to make changes to the track imposed by the international racing federation FIA. Aside from the track changes, Ecclestone was said to have also asked for more money from race organizers in order to stage the Grand Prix.
Although all hope appears lost for next year, the San Marino Grand Prix could return in 2008 after the Sagis's contract with the city and track expires and a new operator can come forward with the necessary economic guarantees.
