Sir Jackie calls for Monza protection 04 | 09 | 2015
SIR JACKIE STEWART, who will tomorrow mark the 50th anniversary of his first Formula One win at Monza, has called on the sport to protect its classic grand prix venues.
The three-times Formula One world champ will drive the BRM he powered to his first Italian Grand Prix victory at Monza immediately before today's qualifying for the 2015 race.
Fresh from taking part in the inaugural Scottish Concours of Elegance in Edinburgh, Stewart was responding to recent claims from F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone that there is a "good chance" the race at Monza would be dropped from the calendar when its deal expires at the end of 2016.
The concerns over of the future of Monza — which has hosted the Italian GP every year since the world championship started in 1950, apart from 1980 when the race went to Imola — come as doubts continue over the future of the German GP.
While Germany was dropped this season but is penciled in for 2016, the French GP has not taken place since 2008.
"It's certainly not a good position to be in," Stewart admitted. "The French started motorsport, with races held in France. Germany has Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and so forth. They both have a great history.
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"I'm sad because history is very important. You learn a lot from history. It's tradition we need."
But Stewart is hopeful a solution can be found which will ensure Monza, at least, will be kept on the calendar for 2016.
"Of course I would be very sad if Monza was dropped," the Scot continued. "It would be very negative for Formula 1 and motorsport in general if Monza could not put a deal together, with a possible compromise on one side or the other.
"No matter where you are in the world, if you say the word Monza, it comes to everyone's mind what it is: it's the home of the Italian Grand Prix.
"The charisma of Monza and the passion of the crowd is in excess of any other grand prix in the world.
"Even in my day, it was a great hoo-hah; the crowd ran on the track. That has never stopped, even to this day.
"Monza then was one of the great circuits: it was the fastest race circuit in the world for a long time.
"With the famous Curve Grande, Parabolica, Ascari, all those great corners are the history of the sport.
"It's vitally important the Italians see that and the municipality of Monza sees that as well as Bernie. Bernie knows that well. I hope and pray they find a solution."
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Jim McGill
Caption: Sir Jackie Stewart — with four-times IndyCar champ and threetimes Indy500 winner, Dario Franchitti, and Zak Brown, in their 1967 Ferrari — at the Concours of Elegance.