F1: Face diaper requirement spells doom for the future of Italian GP

(GMM) Jean Todt admits he is concerned Italy may fall off the Formula 1 radar.

The sport’s only Italian driver, Antonio Giovinazzi, is in danger of losing his Alfa Romeo seat, while F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has flagged trouble for the future of the Italian GP at Monza.

“I hope Monza stays on the calendar, but we need to think about a business model where there is a return,” Domenicali said last week.

He was speaking after a meager 16,000 tickets were sold for Sunday’s main race, amid tight covid-related restrictions.

Nyck Nick De Vries talking to Toto Wolff. While those in the F1 paddock are paid $ millions to wear face diapers, race fans are refusing to pay for a grandstand seat and also wear a face diaper. They would prefer to sit at home to watch, and save the money, rather than breathe through a diaper all day – Jiri Krenek Photo

“Why is there so little public in Monza?” FIA president Todt told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I would be very disappointed if there wasn’t at least one race in Italy on the Formula 1 calendar in the next few years,” the Frenchman added.

“But it is a question to ask Stefano Domenicali.”

Indeed, after December, 75-year-old Todt is departing Formula 1 completely at the conclusion of his third and final term as FIA president.

“After that I’ll disappear, because I don’t want to be that kind of former president,” Todt said.

“I will be involved in activities as the United Nations special envoy for global road safety, but then I would like to finally dedicate more time to my family.”

September 9, 2021

(GMM) F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali is worried about the future of the Italian GP at Monza.

Once an unmissable and exciting pilgrimage for the Tifoso, race organizers are now warning that a meager race-day crowd of just 16,000 spectators have bought tickets to attend this weekend’s race.

Fans are required to wear face diapers at Monza for the Italian GP and most, therefore, will not buy a race ticket or attend the race.

It is believed the issue could be the harsh ongoing covid-related restrictions, but Italian automobile club president Angelo Sticchi Damiani admits it is a dire warning.

“We will lose around 16 million euros,” he said.

The sport’s chief, Domenicali – an Italian and former Ferrari boss – is concerned that losses like that endanger the future of the historic event.

When asked about the meager ticket sales, 30 percent of which are reportedly Max Verstappen’s Dutch fans, he told La Repubblica: “We need to understand why.

“I hope Monza stays on the calendar, but we need to think about a business model where there is a return,” Domenicali said.

“Otherwise it makes no sense.”