Bernie Ecclestone the best negotiator around - Monza

Italy - Monza's failure so far to ink a new Formula 1 race contract for 2017 and beyond is in part due to Bernie Ecclestone's negotiating tactics.

That is the claim of Angelo Sticchi Damiani, the president of Italy's automobile club (Aci) that has been at the heart of the troubled talks with the F1 supremo.

Agreeing to terms

Damiani told La Gazzetta dello Sport: "The situation for the grand prix at Monza is very complex, as I have said from the beginning.

"But it is a battle we have to fight because we believe Italy cannot and should not lose F1.

"It is the first time the Aci has engaged in a transaction of this kind, but we knew it would be difficult to deal with what has been called the best negotiator in the world," Damiani said.

READ: Monza finally agrees to new F1 deal

"Ecclestone does not like to involve a single party but enough people to create an auction, which is normal for those who want the best result possible and stretch out the timing of the negotiations," Damiani continued.

Damiani admitted that it could result in Monza organisers having to pay more than before for the race beyond 2016, "but we are careful not to bite off more than can be chewed.

"Enthusiasm cannot make us forget our institutional duties."