Bernie Ecclestone insists that F1 would survive the loss of Italy from the calendar.

Ahead of the second round of the busiest world championship schedule in the history of the sport, attention is already turning to 2017.

Though the rules have yet to be agreed, some designers are understood to have begun work, whilst Bernie Ecclestone is piecing together the calendar.

Whilst the Italian Grand Prix is safe at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza this year, a deal has yet to be agreed which will keep the race, and whilst there have been numerous claims that it has been agreed, this is not the case.

In a typical move aimed at spurring the (Italian) authorities into action, Ecclestone has warned that should Monza lose the race, F1 could continue without Italy hosting a round of the world championship, even though, like Britain, it has hosted a race every year since the series began in 1950.

"Monza has got a contract for this year so it is going to go ahead. Next year is the question mark," he told the Mail on Sunday.

"I don't think we have to have an Italian Grand Prix," he added. "Somebody once told me a funny thing that you couldn't have Formula 1 without a race in France. But we do."

At a time drivers are openly admitting their fears for the sport's future, the loss of one of the favourite - though least challenging - venues would only further damage a sport already haemorrhaging fans and sponsors alike.

Indeed, at a time many claim the sport has lost its soul, Ecclestone admits he is still eyeing a race in the capital of bling, Las Vegas.

"Vegas would be super," he says ". They have a contract. I think the trouble is the pen. The organiser hasn't got a pen."

This at a time the United States Grand Prix, in its latest guise, has escaped extinction by the skin of its teeth.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Paul C, 29/03/2016 19:56

"Bernie needs to RETIRE!"

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2. Posted by Stitch431, 29/03/2016 8:55

"Fans: We don't need Ecclestone!"

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3. Posted by karel, 29/03/2016 7:50

"How greed and power destroys everything. In case you didn't notice mr Ecclestone, F1 is a s good as dead.
I remeber it especialy the Golden 70 with Hunt, Lauda, Andetti, Peterson, .. . real drivers, real racing, and a lot of experiments going on (Lotus, williams, Brabham, ... ) Races which were competed on historical tracks, Silverstone, Monza, Nurnburgring, .... I admit real die hard take everything but sport lovers don't.
You have done a good job starting in the 70 buying TV rights upgrading F1, but you have become a real monster absorbing every life there is in F1 and you know what ? you did it."

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4. Posted by gturner38, 28/03/2016 23:26

"There's nothing to see here. It's the standard Bernie tactic of dismissing the need for anyone who is at the end of their contract. Creating panic at the possibility of losing the local race is the closest thing Bernie has done to promoting a Grand Prix in 20 years."

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5. Posted by ScottC, 28/03/2016 15:29

"Actually what he really means is F1 doesn't need Bahrain, China, Russia, Azerbaijan, Singapore & Abu Dhabi which would leave 15 races. Just add France (doesn't Bernie own Paul Ricard ?) to get it back to a classic 16 race calendar as :

Australia
Spain
Monaco
Canada
France
Austria
Britain
Hungary
Germany
Belgium
Italy
Malaysia
Japan
USA
Mexico
Brazil"

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6. Posted by slracer, 27/03/2016 23:45 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 29/03/2016 16:50)

""Indeed, at a time many claim the sport has lost its soul, Ecclestone admits he is still eyeing a race in the capital of bling, Las Vegas."
Is any more proof needed?"

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7. Posted by Elgar, 27/03/2016 22:53

"Ecclestone is an ass! We do need the core, Italy, etc. The others, it's only the dictators that are interested in the cache and spectacle."

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8. Posted by GrahamG, 27/03/2016 22:27 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 29/03/2016 16:50)

"Lets face it Bernie's view F1 doesn't need anyone or anything that won't pay large quantities of cash to him and his cronies. Applies to circuits, teams, tyre suppliers, spectators and enthusiasts alike.
I have to describe myself as an "ex enthusiast", sick of mindless fiddling with the rules. "

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9. Posted by F One, 27/03/2016 20:41 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 29/03/2016 16:50)

"This comment was removed by an administrator as it was judged to have broken the site's posting rules and etiquette."

Rating: Positive (1)

10. Posted by Paul C, 27/03/2016 19:23

"Bernie might find himself sleeping with a leaky vintage car engine if any Italian or Sicilian F1 fans if he keeps threatening the Monza GP. Just like the producer who found his prize race horse's head in his bed in The Godfather."

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11. Posted by Ro, 27/03/2016 16:41

"Ive a better idea, who needs BE....he is ruining the sport, completely, utterly. if he was an employee of mine he would be dismissed without notice. He is undermining the sport and totally ignoring the base core of the fans and supporters."

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12. Posted by Jeremysmith, 27/03/2016 16:11

"I don't believe for one moment that BE is serious with this comment, it's just being used as a ploy to drive the hosting price through the roof ...
Typical Bernie, nothing new here !"

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13. Posted by TokyoAussie, 27/03/2016 15:34

"Yet another nail in the coffin. For a sport that occasionally claims to listen to the fans, they are pretty hard of hearing. "

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14. Posted by Mattyboy, 27/03/2016 15:04

"The truth is that we don't actually need Ecclestone - he has more than outstayed his welcome, and someone else should take over with a view to the welfare of the F1 Championship, not just his own financial greed"

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15. Posted by Endre, 27/03/2016 14:31 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 27/03/2016 14:44)

"This comment was removed by an administrator as it was judged to have broken the site's posting rules and etiquette."

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Ecclestone: We don't need an Italian Grand Prix

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