Officials for the town of Imola have expressed “bitterness” about its axing from next year’s Formula 1 calendar, and showed defiance that it will one day return.
Imola, which returned to F1 in 2020 after a 14-year hiatus, will now make way in F1’s second consecutive 24-race schedule, effectively replaced by Madrid’s new street circuit.
After this year’s race last month, many drivers talked about their sadness at its removal from the calendar, urging F1 chiefs to ensure the future of older, traditional circuits.
F1’s CEO Stefano Domenicali also conveyed it would be “difficult” to see the famed track depart, himself having been born in Imola.
With the calendar now officially confirmed, the Municipality of Imola and the Emilia-Romagna Region have issued a frank and emotional statement.
“The provisional calendar of the Formula 1 Grand Prix for the 2026 season has been announced, from which Imola is excluded,” it read. “This is news we were aware of and which, understandably, generates questions, disappointment and bitterness, because in recent years our territory has shown that it can host an extraordinary event with record numbers.
“The grand prix in Imola was one of the most loved and appreciated by fans and drivers, as demonstrated in the days following the event.
“Its uniqueness was evident: combining the race on the track with the charm of the territory, starting from a historic centre to be experienced.
“However, we want to be very clear: this news does not represent the end of the story.”
Will Imola ever return?
Imola initially held a number of non-championship Grand Prix in the 1960s and 70s, before making its debut in 1980, as a stand-in venue for the Italian Grand Prix, whilst Monza underwent renovations.
It was afforded its own space a year later, as the San Marino Grand Prix, which became a staple, often being the first European race of the calendar.
The track survived the 1994 Grand Prix weekend, in which Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna were killed on particularly dangerous portions of the track.
Imola continued to host the race, doing so until 2006, when it was dropped, but returned in the Covid-hit 2020 campaign, and was again given a permanent spot.
Despite more Grands Prix being on the calendar now than in its heyday, Imola’s space was under threat due to the huge demand from a number of different countries that wish to host races.
And with markets, such as the Middle East and America, now continuously widening, some European races are increasingly coming under threat.
READ MORE – Has Imola waved goodbye to F1 once and for all?
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