International Automobile Federation (FIA) President Max Mosley is cool on the idea of staging a Formula One Grand Prix [ Images ] in Rome.

Local authorities are weighing up a proposal by former Formula Two driver and world superbike promoter Maurizio Flammini to stage a race through the streets on the outskirts of the Italian capital.

Any plan would have to be approved by Formula One's commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone [ Images ].

"I would be surprised if it happened," Mosley said in an interview published in Thursday's La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I know how much effort and money it costs to organise a street circuit race in Monte Carlo. And Italy [ Images ] has lots of valid permanent circuits.

"Anyway it's Ecclestone's problem, not mine."

Mosley added that Formula One's governing body had not yet received a request from Rome to hold a race.

Italian media reported that an expert sent by Ecclestone surveyed the proposed site of the race in the EUR district on Wednesday.

Italy, home of Ferrari [ Images ], has a grand prix at Monza each year and held two races until the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola was axed in 2006.

Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo has said a Rome Formula One Grand Prix would be unthinkable unless it was merely a one-off.

Mosley also said he was less than keen on Ecclestone's proposal for the drivers' championship to be decided by Olympic-style medals rather than points.

"The medals are an obsession of Ecclestone's. I don't see how they would encourage overtaking."