Motorsport.com revealed this week that Monza's chances of getting a new contract had suffered a blow following the failure of race chiefs to agree a new deal with Ecclestone earlier this month.

While race fee issues appear to have been resolved, fresh doubts have emerged over the long-term management of the Monza circuit and what that would mean for the event.

Another meeting has been set up for later this month to try to iron out the issues, but Ecclestone has made it clear that the matter is now fully in the hands of the Italian authorities.

Speaking to Reuters about the latest situation, Ecclestone said: "It's Italian. A lot of conversations at the moment and not much action.

"They said to me a few months ago 'everything is sorted out, we know exactly where we are and it's all agreed and no dramas.'

"And now I heard yesterday it's become very political...they'll get on with it. Or not. Nothing we can do about it."

Deadline or not

Ecclestone did not appear too worried by the situation though, and said he was happy to wait for the Italians to reply.

"I don't know what's going to happen. It's a little bit Italian at the moment," he said.

"The only people that can sort this out are the people that are currently involved in Italy. There's no deadline.

"They can take as long as they like, provided it's by the end of this month."