Imola hopes to extend its contract with Formula 1

      The seventh stage of the season, the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, will be held at the classic Imola circuit, but there is a high probability that 2025 may be the last year when Italy hosts two stages of the World Championship.

      Last month, we quoted Stefano Domenicali, president and CEO of Formula 1, who made it clear that the contract with the Enzo and Dino Ferrari Circuit, which expires this year, will not be renewed. Nevertheless, the organizers of the Imola race are continuing negotiations in the hope that some kind of solution can be found.

      Yesterday, the official presentation of the upcoming Grand Prix, scheduled for May 16-18, took place in this Italian city, and there was mainly talk about the possibility of extending the agreements with Formula 1.

      In particular, Michele de Pascale, president of the Emilia-Romagna region, categorically stated that "this is not a budget issue," meaning the local authorities are ready to provide the necessary support, including financial support.

      Tullio del Sette, a representative of the national automobile club ACI, elaborated on this topic: "Interest remains at a high level, negotiations have been going on for some time. And Monza does not prevent Imola from remaining on the championship calendar."

      Pascale also hinted that the Republic of San Marino, one of the smallest states in the world, which is located in Italy and borders the province of Emilia-Romagna, is also involved in the negotiations. This can be understood in such a way that the organizers of the Imola race are ready to return to it the name under which this Grand Prix was held from 1981 to 2006.

      Gazzetta dello Sport, talking about yesterday's presentation, quotes the mayor of Imola, Marco Panieri, who raised issues of economics and logistics: "We believe that ticket sales exceed last year's statistics. We have increased the capacity of the stands, the circuit can accommodate up to 92,500 spectators daily, and ticket sales are progressing at an excellent pace.

      We recently renovated the Imola railway station, and 17 special additional trains have been launched. Last year, 27 out of 95,000 spectators came to the race on Sunday by train."

      It is also worth adding that investments are continuing in the infrastructure of the autodrome, where three new garages have been built and a new guest area has been created. At the same time, the mayor of Imola said that they do not intend to stop there, and the reconstruction of the autodrome, built 75 years ago, continues.