According to a survey, most residents do not support the idea of a formula one street race in Rome’s EUR district.
Although organisers claim preparations are on track for an inaugural race in the capital in 2012 or 2013, Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali threw cold water on the project last week when he said each country should host only a single F1 race per year.
Now, a survey launched by the Partito Democratico (Democratic Party) has shown that of the 2138 interviewed, some 1750 said they see "more disadvantages than advantages" of a grand prix on the Rome streets.
The results were published in Italian publications including Autosprint and La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Although the result appears to show more than 80 per cent residential opposition to the project, promoter Maurizio Flammini insisted that only a "minority" of the population had expressed itself.
The survey also showed that 93 per cent of residents believe the race will increase traffic and pollution and create excessive noise.
Flammini charged: "This referendum was designed to give voice to the opponents of the grand prix."