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New Italian Grand Prix F1 deal finally signed to keep race at Monza

Bernie Ecclestone and Italian Grand Prix chiefs finally signed an agreement to keep Formula 1 at Monza for the next three years.

F1 boss Ecclestone met with president of the Automobile club d'Italia Angelo Sticchi Damiani on Monday to bring the long-running saga to and end.

In September, Monza bosses announced a new three-year deal to keep the race through to 2019 had been secured.

However, they admitted the contract had not yet been signed.

It emerged Imola had taken legal action as it felt it was not legitimate that the ACI awarded government backing to Monza and not Imola, to help fund an Italian GP beyond this year.

A court hearing was set for October 26 to assess the case, but this was cancelled when Imola withdrew its objection.

That paved the way for Ecclestone and Monza to resume talks.

The agreement was signed in time for Wednesday's World Motor Sport Council meeting this week, where the 2017 calendar is expected to be ratified.

Monza has staged the grand prix every year since F1's inception in 1950, excluding 1980 when Imola played host.

Zdroj: autosport.com