Bernie reserves ‘Gran Premio di Roma’ title
Following speculation that the Italian capital is hoping to organize a formula one race, it emerges that the sport's chief executive Bernie Ecclestone is also serious about the project.
London's Evening Standard reports that the 78-year-old billionaire last month applied for a pan-European trademark to the name 'Formula 1 Gran Premio di Roma'.
It is suggested the event, slated for the city's modern EUR district, could be added to the 2011 calendar.
The Gran Premio di Roma title was last used in 1991, when Alex Zanardi won the formula 3000 race at Vallelunga. Previously, dating back to the 50s and 60s, the race ran to Formula 2 rules.
In 1954 and 1963 F1 cars contested the Rome grand prix, but the event was not included on the world championship calendar.