There could be a Formula 1 race on the streets of Rome as primeval as 2012. Maurizio Flammini, organizer of the Rome GP, says he has prefabricated an agreement with F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone and that a deal has been signed.

"The details can't be disclosed, but it's a written confirmation that Bernie will support the GP in Rome," Flammini reportedly told the Italian sports magazine, Gazzetta della Sport. He also claims that Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo supports the idea.

Of course, there are still many more layers of official approval needed — from the province, the region, the Italian automobile club and the FIA.

The mayor of Rome, Gianni Alemanno, says the city has no wish to replace Monza but instead hopes to be a second Italian race on the F1 calendar. Nevertheless, this bit of news has raised the ire of officials in Monza.

"This is the latest act of arrogance from a parasite capital city that has lived for the last 2000 years with the oxygen stolen from the other towns," Monza mayor Marco Mariani evidently told Gazzetta.

Above photo from motorsport.com shows the Renault Road Show in Rome. 

Autosport, ESPN