Formula 1 drivers have voiced concern over the potential removal of Imola from the calendar, with Oscar Piastri warning the sport must avoid losing too many historic venues.
The Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, which hosts the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, has been a semi-regular fixture on the calendar since its return during the pandemic in 2020.
However, with Italy currently hosting two races and pressure mounting from new markets, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has suggested that either Imola or Monza may be dropped in future.
“It will be increasingly difficult to have two races in the same country,” Domenicali told RAI radio. “It’s a situation we will have to deal with in the coming months.”
Drivers were asked ahead of the 2025 weekend whether it would be a shame to lose Imola.
Oscar Piastri, who is racing here for only the second time in F1, said the circuit offers a unique challenge.
“It’s a great circuit. I’ve only raced here once, but it’s definitely towards the top end of my favourites,” the Australian told media including Motorsport Week.
“Having two races in the same country, with how many bids we have from around the world, maybe doesn’t make that much sense anymore.
“And when you have Monza as your second race in Italy… it’s pretty hard not to go to Monza. I think there’d be some riots if we didn’t!
“We just need to be careful to preserve the history. Zandvoort is going, Spa is going to be on rotation, which I’m not the happiest about.
“We just need to be careful not to lose these historical tracks. OK, maybe it’s not the best track to race on – not the best for overtaking – but in terms of the ultimate experience of driving a Formula 1 car, this is at the top of the list. We need to be mindful of that.”
Reigning World Champion Max Verstappen, who has won the previous three races at the circuit, also weighed in, adding: “It’s a great track.
“Of course, we all heard the comments from F1 that it’s tough to keep two Italian Grands Prix on the calendar.
“But for me this is one of my favourite tracks on the calendar. Let’s see – I think for now I just want to enjoy the moment of driving here.”
Expanding calendar places Imola at risk
Lance Stroll echoed those thoughts, stating: “I enjoy coming here. There are a few tracks on the calendar that are very historical and great to drive. This is one of them.
“It would suck to lose it. But we have 25 races and a lot of countries want races. It’s tough to squeeze them all in. Hopefully this one stays – I like coming here.”
Franco Colapinto, who is making his debut with Alpine at the venue having replaced Jack Doohan on an initial five-race deal, offered a reflective view on the matter.
“I love Imola. I love Italy,” he conveyed. “I have some great memories and great history here. I started in Monza – that was my debut in Formula 1 – and now it’s Imola.
“I love Imola. It’s a great track with massive history in Formula 1. I think we all like coming here.
“The history this brings to the sport, it’s a great track, and especially to drive a Formula 1 car here.
“There are specific corners – it’s such an old-school track, it’s very enjoyable to drive. So yeah, I’m going to try to enjoy this weekend and hopefully it stays.”
Imola’s future remains uncertain, especially as F1 eyes new destinations such as Thailand and a potential second race in China.
Monza, meanwhile, has a contract in place until 2031 and remains the spiritual home of Ferrari.
For now, as drivers prepare to take on the narrow, unforgiving layout of one of the calendar’s oldest venues, the sentiment is clear: Imola deserves to stay.
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It’s a shame FI wants to go to some of the most corrupt countries in the world to race or the ones who suppress women’s rights. Yes Azerbaijan is 154th out of 180 in the corruption index. The Arab states that get to host races are dictatorships run by misogynists and slave traders who love public executions. What can I say about China? All of the above. F1 does for money. Pure, simple and disgusting. Imola is history. I watch this race. I don’t watch Saudi or Baku. Sponsors take note. Of course LVMH loves their Arab customers. I almost forgot………..
Fair points raised, Richard — and you’re not the only one who feels that way. There’s no denying F1 has followed the money in recent years, often at the expense of heritage tracks like Imola, Spa, or even Hockenheim. Fans notice. History matters. The sport needs to remember what made people fall in love with it in the first place — and that wasn’t night races in oil states with empty grandstands. Let’s hope someone at the top remembers that before it’s too late.