Method 1 drivers are resigned to the probability this weekend’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix might be their final go to to Imola for now.
The observe which returned to the F1 schedule through the Covid-19 pandemic 5 years in the past doesn’t have a contract to host a race past the tip of this season and seems unlikely to get one. With a brand new road race in Madrid becoming a member of the 2026 F1 calendar, Imola appears set to be squeezed out.
Championship chief Oscar Piastri is amongst those that will miss the venue if F1 doesn’t return.
“It’s a terrific circuit,” mentioned the McLaren driver. “I’ve solely raced right here as soon as, but it surely’s undoubtedly in the direction of the highest finish of my favourites.”
The final spherical in Miami was the primary of three grands prix which is able to happen within the USA this yr. However Piastri doesn’t consider Italy can proceed to host a race in Imola along with the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
“I feel having two races in the identical nation, with what number of bids we’ve got from world wide, perhaps doesn’t make that a lot sense anymore,” he mentioned. “And when you will have Monza as your second race in Italy, it’s fairly laborious to not go to Monza. I feel there’d be some riots if we didn’t!”
A number of European rounds are beneath strain. The Dutch Grand Prix will finish subsequent yr whereas the Belgian Grand Prix will solely happen each different season after 2027. Piastri warned F1 ought to “watch out to protect the historical past.”
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“Zandvoort goes, Spa goes to be on rotation, which I’m not the happiest about. We simply have to be cautious to not lose these historic tracks.
“Okay, perhaps it’s not the perfect observe to race on — not the perfect for overtaking — however by way of the last word expertise of driving an F1 automotive, that is on the prime of the listing. We have to be conscious of that.”
Mercedes driver and Grand Prix Drivers Affiliation director George Russell mentioned Imola’s attraction goes past its structure.
“Finally Method 1 is what it’s due to the followers,” he mentioned. “They’re what make it so particular. So having races like Imola, Monza, Silverstone – everybody’s all the time excited to return right here.
“After all Method 1 is so large and the TV aspect of it’s perhaps the largest issue, however we must always always remember the core a part of it, which is for followers who come and reside and breathe racing. Imola is likely one of the greatest circuits for this particularly within the final sector, you will have folks’s homes overlooking the observe, that’s simply superior.”
Max Verstappen is in search of a fourth consecutive victory on the circuit this yr, however is uncertain he’ll get the possibility to win one other.
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“I all the time loved driving right here, even again in F3 we raced right here,” he mentioned. “It’s a really, very particular observe. An actual driver’s observe with the kerbs that it’s a must to take, there’s lap time to be gained.
“So after all, I hope it’s not [going to be dropped], however we additionally need to be after all sensible. I feel even F1 mentioned it themselves that it’s robust to maintain two Italian grands prix on the calendar. However first I feel I’m simply going to benefit from the second.”
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2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
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