On Thursday, the event appeared to have heard its death knell when it emerged Bernie Ecclestone had written to Rome mayor Gianni Alemanno.

The Italian newspaper La Repubblica said Ecclestone's letter explained that his sport needed to focus on expanding internationally and in the US rather than allowing single countries to host more than one race per year.

But Alemanno has clarified that the F1 chief executive's letter was not a "rejection" for Rome.

"(Instead) there is the decision to grant Italy just one grand prix, either at Monza or Rome, or in both cities but in alternated seasons," he is quoted in the Italian media.

The mayor added that Rome will announce a "finalized decision" next week.

The Rome race's hopeful promoter Maurizio Flammini also took Ecclestone's letter to be the start of negotiations with F1 officials and the organizers of the staunchly-opposed Monza event.

"Ecclestone has proposed alternating Rome and Monza," Flammini said in a statement published by ANSA news agency.

"We will speak to the Automobile Club of Milan and to (Monza circuit owner) Sias to see if there is the possibility of collaboration," he added.