Monza begins €21 million modernisation project

Work to bring the Autodromo Nazionale Monza up to modern standardshas begun, as the circuit looks to secure its future on the Formula1 calendar. The €21 million renovations started this week followinga ceremony on the circuits start/finish straight, with theredevelopments set to last 140 days until June. This year's ItalianGrand Prix will take place from 30th August to 1st September. Thework includes a complete resurface of the track, construction of anew underpass, improved pit building facilities, and a series ofgrandstand improvements - notably at the first corner. The circuithas a contract to host an F1 race through to 2025, but the futureof the race is up in the air. Last year, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicalistressed the need for Monza to upgrade its facilities if it wantsto have a contract extension. "Monza can't afford to have problems"Italian Federation President, Angelo Sticchi Damiani, stressed theimportance of the renovations: “Our main goal is to bring theAutodromo back up to speed. “We can no longer afford to haveproblems with the flow of fans, and we must offer greater comfortto those who come to the circuit. We have set ourselves three goalsto best meet the requests made to us, and of these the first is theunderpasses. "The second goal is related to the grandstands. Westill have several temporary structures, so we will build moresolid structures that will provide all the amenities in line withwhat a spectator expects today. Each grandstand will be an islandwith all the necessary services inside, so that the public will nothave to move around. "Finally, a permanent type of roofing will bebuilt over the pit building (it is currently a tensile structure).The support pillars will be reinforced because the structure willgrow in height."