Imola 418

Imola

Imola was an early-season Formula 1 highlight, but it is forever remembered for the deaths of Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna in 1994.

Imola was an early-season Formula 1 highlight, but it is forever remembered for the deaths of Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna in 1994. It survived that disaster with extensive modifications, particularly to the ultra-quick Tamburello corner where Senna crashed. But F1’s desire to expand outside Europe ended Imola’s time as a Grand Prix venue before an unexpected one-off return. Set in the undulating Castellaccio Park outside Imola, the circuit is a fast succession of demanding corners broken up by chicanes. It did not reach the forefront of international motor racing until it was refurbished in the early 1970s. Imola held a non-championship F1 race in 1979 and was chosen to hold the 1980 Italian Grand Prix following Ronnie Peterson’s fatal accident at Monza in 1978. Although Monza was back in favour within 12 months, Imola was awarded the San Marino Grand Prix – a title of convenience referring to the principality 50 miles away – and it held the race until 2006. The circuit was modernised in 2008 but a Formula 1 return seemed a forlorn hope before the coronavirus pandemic of 2020 forced the promoter to look for replacement venues, including a two-day meeting at Imola.

Circuit

Type

Permanent road course

Length

3.05 (Miles)

Change

Variante Bassa bypassed completely and the pitlane lengthened

Fastest Race Lap

Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-Benz F1 W11 EQ Performance), 1m15.484, 145.462 mph, F1, 2020

Fastest Qualifying Lap

Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes-Benz F1 W11 EQ Performance), 1m13.609, 149.167 mph, F1, 2020

Type

Permanent road course

Length

3.065 (Miles)

Change

Variante Alta tightened

Fastest Race Lap

Fernando Alonso (Renault R26), 1m24.569, 130.474 mph, F1, 2006

Fastest Qualifying Lap

Michael Schumacher (Ferrari 248F1), 1m22.795, 133.269 mph, F1, 2006

Type

Permanent road course

Length

3.064 (Miles)

Change

Chicanes built at Tamburello and Villeneuve, Piratella tightened, Acqua Minerale chicane bypassed and corner re-profiled, first part of Variante Bassa straightened

Fastest Race Lap

Michael Schumacher (Ferrari F2004), 1m20.411, 137.176 mph, F1, 2004

Fastest Qualifying Lap

Jenson Button (BAR 005-Honda), 1m19.753, 138.307 mph, F1, 2004

Type

Permanent road course

Length

3.132 (Miles)

Change

Chicane built at Acqua Minerale

Fastest Race Lap

Damon Hill (Williams FW16-Renault), 1m24.335, 133.696 mph, F1, 1994

Fastest Qualifying Lap

Ayrton Senna (Williams FW16-Renault), 1m21.548, 138.265 mph, F1, 1994

Type

Permanent road course

Length

3.144 (Miles)

Change

Variante Alta built

Fastest Race Lap

Gilles Villeneuve (Ferrari 312T4), 1m33.61, 120.911 mph, F1, 1979

Fastest Qualifying Lap

Gilles Villeneuve (Ferrari 312T4), 1m32.91, 121.821 mph, F1, 1979

Type

Permanent road course

Length

3.183 (Miles)

Change

Variante Bassa built in September

Type

Permanent road course

Length

3.118 (Miles)

Change

Original circuit with no chicanes

Motorcycle Circuit

1985 - 1994

Type

Permanent road course

Length

3.144 (Miles)

Change

Chicanes built at Villeneuve and after Variante Alta

Latest Races

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