LONDON: Ferrari has cast doubt on the prospects of a Rome Grand Prix by saying Italy, whose Monza circuit is one of Formula One's great venues, can only ever host one race a year. “Our position is very clear and leaves no room for interpretation,” team boss Stefano Domenicali told the ferrari.com website. “Our sport is increasingly expanding the number of countries hosting a Grand Prix and all the teams are in agreement about that. “Therefore it is inevitable that it will no longer be possible to have two races in the same nation. It's not the job of the teams who choose where a Grand Prix is held, that's up to the commercial rights holder.” Spain is currently the only nation with two races, one in Barcelona and the other - the European Grand Prix - in Valencia. The calender is expanding to a record 20 races in 2011 with India making its debut after South Korea held its first race this year. A US GP in Austin is scheduled for 2012 with Russia arriving in 2014 with a race in Winter Olympic venue Sochi. Rome wants a race through the streets of the EUR district from 2012 or 2013 and has signed a letter of intent with commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone. ‘Lotus engine a logical step' Malaysian-owned sportscar maker Lotus could eventually build its own Formula One engine as well as running a team, Lotus Group CEO Dany Bahar said Wednesday. Bahar told reporters at the Royal Automobile Club in London that the engine move, though a long way off, was a logical step for a group who will be Renault's title sponsors next season at the renamed Lotus Renault GP team. “We have plans underway to think about our own engine family in our road car programs for the future,” he said. “The fact that we have announced that we will be developing an engine for Indycar for 2012 shows already that we are heavily interested in becoming an engine manufacturer with our own brand.” Renault, which has sold all its stake in a team that will still carry its name, has a three-year deal to supply Lotus Renault GP with engines as well as champion Red Bull and the rival Team Lotus operation.
