Imola F1 Circuit: All you need to know about the iconic Italian race track making a comeback to Formula One

Imola F1 Circuit will host the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, making it the third Italian race track to host an F1 race this season.

The Formula One 2020 calendar got an update on Friday, as Nurburgring, Portimao, and Imola were confirmed, taking the season’s tally to 13.

This will only be the second time in F1 history that a country will host a triple-header in a season. The USA did it in the first time in 1982, with races at Long Beach, Las Vegas and automobile hub Detroit.

The Automobile Council of Italy is naturally extremely delighted with the feat. The President of the council had this to say after the extraordinary Imola announcement.

“The decision of the FIA ​​and of the Formula One Group, to include a race on the Enzo and Dino Ferrari circuit in the 2020 calendar, after those already scheduled at Monza and Mugello, is yet another confirmation of the quality of the work done by the ACI over the years.”

“It marks an extraordinary return that rewards the technical qualities of the facility and the great skills of those who have been working on it for years.” he further said.

The iconic track named after Enzo Ferrari

Imola is known as the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari ever since his death in 1988. It is situated in the Emilia-Romagna region, close to the city of Bologna. It is also very close to the Ferrari’s headquarters in Maranello.

The Imola is however forever etched in Formula 1’s due to the legendary Aryton Senna’s tragic death in 1994. The race track has always been regarded as dangerous because it has witnessed 4 tragic deaths including Senna’s death.

Since then, a lot of work has been done on the old-school race track. The pit garages and paddock now has a completely new, modern look to it. The circuit length is 4.96 km and is traditionally a 62 laps race.

Formula One at the Imola F1 Circuit

The first F1 Grand Prix here was held in 1980. It was known as the Italian GP that year, as the Monza track was undergoing refurbishment.

Since then, until 2006, when it was last held, it has been known as the San Marino Grand Prix. But for this season, it will officially be known as the Gran Premio dell’ Emilia Romagna. 

The Imola Circuit has iconic corners like the Acque Minerali and Piratella. Interestingly, AlphaTauri had tested at Imola in preparation of the 2020 season.

Their drivers were mind-blown, with Pierre Gasly calling it his best experience in an F1 car. His teammate Danii Kvyat had this to say after the testing at the iconic track. “An F1 car through corners like Acque Minerali – the entrance is so fast, it’s cool. It really gives you a lot of adrenaline.”