Monza must pay for F1 privilege warns Ecclestone

Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has repeated his warning that Monza risks falling off the grand prix calendar.

“It’s very simple,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “There is a contract for the race this year, but not for the future.”

The F1 supremo has called the financial terms of the current deal a “disaster”, even if the Autodromo Nazionale is one of the most iconic circuits in F1 history. It has raised the question of whether he is asking for too much money.

“No, it’s what the other organisers manage to pay,” the 84-year-old insisted. “Why should they (Monza) have different conditions than Zeltweg (Austria) or Spa? I have asked for the same numbers and the same terms.”

When told Monza has a special status as one of F1’s iconic venues, Ecclestone agreed: “Yes, but for F1 you also have to pay.”

He denied being too driven by the financial side of running the world of F1, “I manage the business side of what CVC owns. Then I divide the money up for the teams. I try to do the best job I can.”