The Mayor of Imola Marco Panieri has said that the region is “working on several levels” to maintain two Formula 1 rounds in Italy in the long term alongside Monza.
Imola returned to the F1 calendar during the 2020 pandemic and has been present since, except for an unforeseen hiatus last season due to floods striking the region.
The Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari has coexisted on the F1 calendar since then with Monza, marking out Italy as the sole European country to host two F1 grands prix.
The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix has a contract in place until the end of 2025, with a more than likely option to expand one more year as last year’s race didn’t go ahead.
Panieri has revealed that one of his main priorities now is to get that deal extended further to ensure Imola remains present on the F1 roster for the foreseeable future.
“While we are waiting to experience the excitement of this year’s Grand Prix, from May 17-19, we are continuing with work and teamwork on several levels to keep these two GPs in Italy and give them a long-term perspective,” Panieri said as quoted via PlanetF1.
The venue is going through works to upgrade its facilities amid F1 CE Stefano Domenicalli’s warning that classic venues can’t rely on “history” to keep their spots.
“Imola is ready for this year, its territorial system has already been made, and is making important investments in the structures, the track, the hospitality, and the multi-functionality of the spaces, working hard on the valorization of the Motor Valley and in particular of Terre e Motori,” the Mayor assured.
“I would like to thank the partners, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Infrastructure and Transport and Enterprise and Made in Italy, the Ice Agency, the Emilia-Romagna Region and ACI.
“Formula 1 is an opportunity of attraction, visibility, and relaunch for Made in Italy that is invaluable for the whole country, not only for Emilia-Romagna.”
The president of Automobile Club d’Italia [ACI] Angelo Sticchi also praised having two Italian venues featured on the 2025 calendar that was announced last week.
Sticchi also thanked that F1 appreciates the “commitments” the Italian institutions are putting in place to improve the quality of its venues.
“Today’s announcement confirms ACI as the only body at world level that organises two world Grand Prix on its territory and is the right recognition of the commitment we are putting into ensuring that fans can enjoy the spectacle of Formula 1 in increasingly comfortable and up-to-date facilities.”
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