It’s official – F1 to race at Imola again
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| Imola |
During the weekend 31st October – 1st November, F1 sound will come back in one of the most iconic circuits in the history of motorsport – Imola – thanks to the Emirates GP dell’Emilia-Romagna.
The goal has been reached thanks to the determination, the passion and the perseverance of all the Imola team, supported by the local and regional institutions, which have worked together in order to bring back Enzo and Dino Ferrari circuit on the stage of the maximum four-wheel championship.
F1 Word Championship history in Imola has started in 1980, when the circuit hosted the Italian Grand Prix as replacement of Monza. From the year after, San Marino GP has started and from 1981 to 2006, 26 editions Grand Prix have written legendary pages in the motorsport history. Going back in the roll of honor it is possible to observe the drivers who have written their names as winners: Nelson Piquet, Didier Pironi, Alain Prost, Patrick Tambay, Elio De Angelis, Ayrton Senna, Nigel Mansell, Riccardo Patrese, Damon Hill, Heinz-Harald Frentzen, David Coulthard, Fernando Alonso and the seven-time-winner Michael Schumacher, who won for the last time in 2006.
From 30th October to the 1st November the spotlights will be all for Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, Sebastian Vettel, Max Verstappen & co.. They will fight on a track that has always known how to bring out the qualities of the outstanding drivers. The hearth of the F1 fans will beat, as always, for the two Ferrari.
At the moment, due to Covid-19 dispositions, the event is expected to be with a reduced number of public.
Chase Carey, (Chairman and CEO, Formula 1™): “We are pleased that we continue to make strong progress in finalizing our plans for the 2020 season and are excited to welcome Imola to the revised calendar. We want to thank the promoters, the teams, and the FIA for their full support in our efforts to bring our fans exciting racing this season during an unprecedented time".
Angelo Sticchi Damiani (ACI President): “An important goal and a strong recognition of the organizational skills and the history of the Italian motor sports. The decision of FIA ​​and Formula One Group organizers to include a round on Enzo and Dino Ferrari circuit in the calendar 2020, after those already scheduled in Monza and Mugello, is another confirmation of the quality of the work done by Automobile Club of Italy as the Federation of Italian motor sports. Of course this decision is also a due recognition of the history of Dino and Enzo Ferrari circuit of Imola, which, for more than twenty years, has written fundamental pages of F1 epopee. An extraordinary return that celebrates the technical qualities of the structure and the great competences of the people who work in it. This designation therefore leads to three Formula 1 Grand Prix races to be held this year in Italy. An all-time record for our country and a unique case in the world that certifies the high quality of our nation's motorsport system. In fact, we are the only country in the world to have three approved circuits to host F1 races: Monza Eni Circuit, Mugello Circuit, Imola, and two others, Vallelunga and Misano, both approved for testing. Now achieved this first great milestone, the work continues with decision with Imola and its circuit, which is ready to give once again to the world a great example of efficiency and organizational capacity".
Stefano Bonaccini (Emilia – Romagna Regional President): “The return of Formula 1 to Imola after 14 years is an extraordinary news, which rewards the great teamwork of these weeks. This is a further international event of enormous prestige, which adds to the historical first time of the double World Moto GP in Misano. It will be a deep emotion to see Ferrari and the other cars racing on Imola circuit: Imola has always been a natural venue for Formula One and we have chosen to name the Grand Prix to Emilia-Romagna, in homage to our region, the land of motors for excellence. I thank those who collaborated with the Region to achieve this great result: the administration, the management of the circuit and the International Federation. We had promised that if there was this possibility, we would not let it fall: this has been the case, proving once the facts speak for themselves".
Nicola Izzo (Special Commissioner to the Municipality of Imola): “The return of the F1 Grand Prix in Imola is a great satisfaction. The town has been waiting this event for 14 years and the Municipality has hoped and supported this return. F1 puts Imola back in the limelight of the world and Imola’s circuit regains its role in the history of motor racing. It is an important result also for the productive world, certainly the most exciting way to start again after the lockdown drama. A result of a teamwork that has seen, together with the Municipality, the full harmony of Con.Ami and Formula Imola SpA and the full and convinced support of Emilia Romagna Region and in particular of the President Bonaccini and the Councilor Corsini".
Fabio Bacchilega (Con.Ami President): “The return of the F1 Grand Prix to Imola is a very important result for our whole territory, in terms of international visibility and economic impact. This result, of which we are particularly happy, has been possible thanks to an institutional direction which has seen entities at all work levels in full agreement, from local to regional and national, with total unity within Con.Ami. Special thanks to Emilia Romagna Region, the Municipality of Imola and Formula Imola company".