Will Europe lose a Grand Prix in the future? The old continent has difficulty resisting the rise of new, unprecedented and exotic candidates (Rwanda, South Africa, Thailand, etc.). Next year, the Grand Prix of the Netherlands will disappear from the calendar while the Grand Prix of Belgium will take place every other year from 2027. And this trend could continue in the coming years. In fact, several meetings are in a delicate situation, in particular those of Imola.
Indeed, the iconic Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Where the Grand Prix of Emilia Romagna has been held since 2020, the next European circuit could be that disappears or switches to alternating circuits. Imola is, together with Mexico and Las Vegas, the only European circuit whose contract ends in 2025. And given the new non-European applications, the idea of organizing two Grands Prix in the same country (Monza and Imola) in Europe is not really popular anymore. If Monza extended his contract in November last year until 2031, the fate of Imola is much more uncertain. And this seems to be confirmed after the recent statements by Stefano Domenicali …
To a variety for Imola?
“Italy has always represented an important part of the economy and will continue to do so in the future. F1, said the president of Formula 1 to the Italian newspaper La Gazzetta Dello Sport. It is becoming increasingly difficult to organize two Grands Prix in the same country, because the interest in Formula 1 is growing. That is a situation that we will have to deal with in the coming months. It will be difficult to let this situation – with Imola and Monza together on the calendar – last much longer. From a human point of view, it will not be easy, but I have to play an international role that brings me into contact with many requests from emerging countries around the world that can make the development of Formula 1 possible. It is an assessment that I will soon have to make final. “
The Italian race, popular with drivers and fans, has experienced a lively comeback in recent years. Since the return to the calendar in 2020-the Covid year-after an absence of fourteen years, Imola has experienced various rainy editions and the Grand Prix of Emilia Romagna was even canceled in 2023 due to floods that the region had hit a few days earlier. Unfortunately, Imola currently suffers from the consequences of the years on the infrastructure, despite the fact that work has started, in particular the expansion of the garages and the modernization of certain facilities.
“I don’t forget that Imola responded in a very difficult time, that of Covid. When it came to it new [rassen] To find, they immediately responded with the enthusiasm and capacity of an entire city. “Stefano Domenicali remembers, who hopes to find a solution to maintain this historical Formula 1 circuit. Could alternating with another European round-for example Spa-Francorchamps-be a solution?
Also read> Which circuits can alternate with spa on the Formula 1 calendar?
