SEPTEMBER 12, 2001

Monza: no reason why there should not be a race

A spokesman at the Autodromo Nazionale at Monza told the German press service DPA that there is currently no reason why the race should not go ahead as planned this weekend.

A spokesman at the Autodromo Nazionale at Monza told the German press service DPA that there is currently no reason why the race should not go ahead as planned this weekend. There is expected to be a press statement about the race later today once the FIA, Formula One Management and the Automobile Club of Italy have discussed whether it is right for the race to go ahead. A number of major soccer matches across Europe have been cancelled by UEFA as a mark of respect to the victims of the attacks in the United States but as the Italian GP will not take place until Sunday it is thought likely that the race will get the go-ahead from the FIA President Max Mosley, although he is currently out of contact with the world as he is on a plane returning to Europe from Peru.

However, there are serious doubts about the likelihood of the United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis going ahead as a number of F1 team bosses are expressing the view that it is dangerous to have such a huge gathering of people so soon as after the outrages in New York and Washington. There is also a question of whether it will be fitting the event to go ahead in the circumstances.