The Italian automobile federation (ACI) announced earlier this week that it was ready to sign a three-year deal, worth 68 million Euro, to keep the grand prix at Monza.

However, legal action being taken by Imola regarding government backing of the Monza deal that it was not allowed to help secure the race, is ongoing.

A verdict is due on October 26 relating to both the government funding and the legality of the new deal between the ACI and Formula One Management

Imola chiefs have now issued a release questioning whether it is right for Monza to sign a new deal in light of the ongoing legal situation.

They said they had fast-tracked the ruling because they wanted to: “define the legality of the decision of the ACI, which intends to use the resources provided by the Law of Stability for the performance of the Grand Prix in Monza, but also the legality of the imminent signing of the contract between ACI and Formula One Management on the performance of the event in Monza.

“It is understood that if the President of ACI intends to proceed with the signature of the contract for the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, in disregard of the instances of the promoter of the Italian Grand Prix in Imola (even if much less expensive for the public finances), before the decision of the administrative courts on the merits and the definition of further community instances, he will undertake the responsibility of having signed a potentially flawed contract with all the consequent implications.”