Former Italian president possibly involved with new F1 team

When you read that a former president of Italy might be involved in plans for a new Formula 1 team, the first thing that will probably come to mind is Silvio Berlusconi. After the sale of AC Milan, you would say that he might be interested in a new toy. However, this rumour is about one of his successors: Matteo Renzi.

He was spotted in the paddock during the Bahrain Grand Prix. He was seen in the company of the Saudi Crown Prince Bin Salman. That he was there at all, got him criticized in Italian media. Renzi is still a member of the Senate and people thought it was unwise that he left for the Middle East in the middle of a lockdown.

The Italian magazine Autosprint however dares to claim that Renzi had a good reason for his visit to the desert. He had been seen in Saudi Arabia the day before. The magazine speculates that he might be involved in setting up a new F1 team. Renzi would be the foreman, while Bin Salman would take care of the financing.

Because it will be an Italian race team, the presentation of the team will take place in Florence, according to the rumours. It is not yet known when this will take place, but Renzi is said to have spoken with Jean Todt in Bahrain about possible next steps, so if that's the case things are moving forward.