Rome chances of hosting a grand prix have been dealt a critical blow after a letter from Bernie Ecclestone to the city's mayor was leaked by an Italian newspaper.

La Repubblica said Ecclestone wrote to mayor Gianni Alemanno explaining that one race per country is enough. With 20 races on the calendar for 2011, he reportedly wrote that F1 is concentrating on expanding into new countries and not on second races in existing territories.

The story on Thursday came shortly after race promoter Maurizio Flammini said the Rome GP plans would be announced officially on January 21.

Ferrari recently admitted its opposition to the plans for a street race in the EUR district in 2013, stating that Monza should be Italy's only F1 event.