Rome Mulls F1 Grand Prix Idea

`It is a very interesting proposal and would be very useful for the city,` deputy mayor Mauro Cutrufo told Reuters.

Rome is weighing up a proposal for a Formula One grand prix through streets on the outskirts of the Italian capital, the city's deputy mayor said on Tuesday.

Former Formula Two driver and world superbike promoter Maurizio Flammini first had the idea in 1984 and has now proposed the scheme again after the Spanish city of Valencia and Singapore held street races last season.

"It is a very interesting proposal and would be very useful for the city," deputy mayor Mauro Cutrufo told Reuters.

The Monaco Grand Prix, which takes place through the streets of the principality, is Formula One's showcase event while Singapore's debut as a night race won rave reviews last year.

Flammini wants a Grand Prix in Rome from 2011 but any plan would have to be approved by Formula One's commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone, who is not short of would-be hosts.

Ecclestone intends to bring South Korea on to the calendar in 2010 and India in 2011. He also wants a race in Russia and is under pressure from manufacturers and sponsors to reinstate a North American round.

Asked if 2011 was too soon a target given an agreement was needed before construction could start, Cutrufo said:"Well 2012 would be ok too. It would be a new ingredient for a great Rome, so why not?,"

Flammini has proposed using the streets of the Esposizione Universale Roma (EUR) district of the city.

"We could use the Colosseum," joked Cutrufo. "No, EUR is an historic area of Rome born in the 1950s that is a symbol of the cultural strategy of this country."

Spain is the only country to have more than one race at present, with grands prix in Barcelona and Valencia. Circuits in Germany and Japan have agreed to alternate.

Italy, home of glamour team Ferrari, hosts the Italian Grand Prix at Monza each year and held the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola before it was scrapped after the 2006 race.

There has been talk of more street circuits, with Abu Dhabi following Singapore this season and Paris and London mooted in recent years.

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has criticised the trend, however.

"At least Monaco has its own history but to have three or four Monacos is too much," he said last year.