• Rome Grand Prix

Residents opposed to Rome Grand Prix

ESPNF1 Staff
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Promoter Maurizio Flammini [right] insists the survey is not representative © Getty Images
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Most residents in Rome's EUR district have voted against a grand prix taking place on the streets of their home city, according to a survey.

The EUR district has been earmarked as a potential venue for a race in 2012 or 2013 and organisers claim preparations are on track. However, a survey launched by the Partito Democratico (Democratic Party) showed that of the 2138 people interviewed, 1750 said they see "more disadvantages than advantages" of a grand prix in their district.

Although the results appear to show more than 80% of residents oppose the project, promoter Maurizio Flammini insists that only a "minority" of the population expressed itself. "This referendum was designed to give voice to the opponents of the grand prix," Flammini said.

Ferrari recently criticised the Rome Grand Prix project, with team principal Stefano Domenicali saying there is only enough space for one race per country on the calendar. And with Formula One reaching its 20-race limit in 2010, it's hard to see where Rome would fit in with new races planned in the USA and Russia over the next four years.

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