Domenicali and Ben Sulayem write to Italian Government seeking guarantees on F1 GPs
Yesterday at 03:12 AM
Does Italy want to keep its two Formula 1 Grands Prix? While 2025 is not in question, with Monza and Imola included in the calendar, the future seems less certain. The question arises because the Emergency Decree, currently under parliamentary review, aims to dismiss ACI President Angelo Sticchi Damiani by extending term limits to public entities that are also sports federations, such as the ACI, which represents Italy's ASN to the FIA.
The Emergency Decree, under discussion in the Budget and Environment Committees, proposes making this rule retroactive to oust Sticchi Damiani, currently in his fourth term, despite the limit being three terms.
On February 12, the ACI Assembly will have to call for new presidential elections, with 45 days to submit candidacies. This measure has alarmed both Liberty Media, promoter of F1, and the FIA, the International Federation.
Stefano Domenicali, F1's President and CEO, wrote a letter to three members of the Meloni Government (Matteo Salvini, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure; Giancarlo Giorgetti, Minister of Economy and Finance; and Andrea Abodi, Minister of Sports) seeking assurances about the commitments made by Sticchi Damiani, “…who has always put his face to it.”
The concern is that a management change could delay the work Monza has signed and funded. While awaiting a newly elected president, Sticchi Damiani would only be authorized to handle routine administration. Domenicali's concerns are valid: "I need guarantees that Monza's work can be completed on time, respecting the contract clauses," he told Motorsport.com.
The six-year renewal of Monza was signed on November 27, a month after Sticchi Damiani's confirmation, highlighting that the Apulian executive guarantees not just financial aspects but also organizational capabilities.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President, has also acted, writing directly to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in recent days to emphasize the need to preserve the autonomy of sports from politics.
The global motorsport leadership has taken action, and now they await responses from Italian politics. Legally, Sticchi Damiani, who might challenge his removal, seems to have a good chance of prevailing, but only after a lengthy legal battle. What will happen in the meantime with ACI's management (especially considering that from this year the entity is burdened by a €50 million levy payable to the Treasury under Article 116 of the 2025 Budget Law) and the two GPs?
Concerns also extend to the WRC: while this year's Rally Italia Sardegna is not in question, a new agreement for the future will need to be negotiated. Who will finalize the contract? In short, politics must provide swift answers. Opposition parties have proposed an amendment to defend Sticchi Damiani's position, but they lack the numbers to change the situation. Will the issue end up in Giorgia Meloni's hands?
Meanwhile, who might succeed Sticchi Damiani? Three vice presidents are being considered: Giuseppina Fusco (AC Roma), Piergiorgio Re (AC Torino), and Ruggero Campi (AC Perugia). Another possible candidate is Geronimo La Russa (AC Milano), who is well-acquainted with the Monza situation.
As a sports federation, the ACI must avoid entering a phase of conflict that could lead to chaos if paralysis occurs. F1 has many countries eager to join the calendar; it would be paradoxical for Italy to be forced out of the circus due to internal disputes. Can a shared solution be found?
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