Formula 1 should target a triple-header of grands prix in Italy this year, according to Imola’s boss, as grand prix machinery returned to the circuit on Wednesday.
Formula 1 has so far confirmed the opening eight races on its revised 2020 calendar but an event at Mugello, likely a week after the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, is poised to be added to the schedule.
It would be the first time since 1995 that Formula 1 has held back-to-back events at different venues in the same country.
The last time one country held three grands prix was in 1982 when Long Beach, Detroit and Caesars Palace all hosted races.
Imola, at which Formula 1 grands prix took place between 1980 and 2006, is still pushing to re-join the calendar, despite Mugello’s impending inclusion on a roster that already features Monza.
AlphaTauri, whose base is located in nearby Faenza, ran its 2018-spec STR13 and 2020 model AT01 at the venue on Wednesday.
“Imola has F1 in its DNA and the history of F1 has taken place on this track, it must not be forgotten and one must be rightly proud of it,” said Uberto Selvatico Estense, Formula Imola President.
“Looking ahead and with an eye to the local economy in this serious moment of crisis, our goal is to bring the top flight to Imola on the circuit strongly desired by Enzo Ferrari already this year if there were any opportunities.
“The most logical and most suitable solution for Formula 1 fans from all over the world would be to use circuits of great media impact as Imola certainly is, perhaps together with Monza (already confirmed as the home of the Italian GP) and Mugello for a legendary national triple.
“We started working with great dedication and passion on this hypothesis together with the local and regional institutions and the FOWC [Formula One World Championship] since April of this year and we hope that the national sports authority will also support our candidacy for this season.”
Formula 1 chiefs are still working on a full 2020 calendar with the ambition of presenting a finalised version prior to next weekend’s season-opener in Austria.
Portimao is a strong contender to hold an October date, after Formula 1’s visit to Russia, with Sochi Autodrom still under consideration for multiple races.
Formula 1 remains hopeful of holding a race in China – which could extend to a double-header – prior to events in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi to close the season.
Bahrain is expected to hold two races while Abu Dhabi is currently slated to host just one but this could still change.
As it stands Formula 1 is unlikely to visit America this year but of its four events in the western hemisphere Canada and the United States would be the most feasible to take place.
