F1: ‘Political’ Rome GP Saga Rolls On, Williams Reportedly Looking To Renault Engines For 2011

THE PROSPECTS for a Grand Prix in Rome in the near future looked clouded on Monday.

Bernie Ecclestone said ten days ago that plans for a race in the Italian capital are "moving forward".

"That is going to be good," the F1 Chief Executive told the Telegraph, explaining he is eyeing a debut date in 2013.

"It's a bit political, obviously," he added.

The political element is powered by F1's historic Italian date at Monza, with its supporters fearing Rome could ultimately be a replacement.

"Without Monza, it's not F1," Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo is quoted on Monday by La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"That event is the past, the present and the future. And a move to Rome is not going to happen."

The same publication quoted FIA President Jean Todt as adding: "Is it conceivable to have two Grands Prix of Italy? I would say no.

"I would say that in the future an Italian and a European grand prix could coexist, but this will depend on the programme and by the processing of applications from the promoter," he said.

(GMM)

Williams Reportedly Looking To Renault Engines For 2011

WILLIAMS has played down reports it is in the market for a new engine supplier.

The British team, as well as F1 newcomer Lotus and the French hopeful ART, have all been linked with a supply of Renault engines for 2011.

It is rumoured that Williams is particularly unhappy with the performance degradation of Cosworth's 2010 engine.

But Chief Executive Adam Parr is quoted by motorsport-aktuell.com: "I am satisfied with them (Cosworth), we are not looking at other engines."

He added that Williams and Cosworth are working on how to maintain the performance of the engines as they accumulate more kilometres.

"This is definitely something on which they are working and where they have already made progress," confirmed Technical Director Sam Michael.

However, the Renault package looked particularly strong in Monaco recently, where the Red Bulls as well as the works car of Robert Kubica dominated qualifying and the famous street race.

"I think the Renault engine is very competitive," Sir Frank Williams noted in the Principality.

"It is a great engine, especially on this track," he added.

On the Grove based team's current Cosworth units, Williams added: "We would always like more horse power, but it's not a bad engine."

(GMM)