Imola offers to host Formula 1 to replace the Chinese Grand Prix
Imola circuit has offered its services to Formula 1 to organize a race in April to replace the Chinese Grand Prix, which is currently postponed. The circuit director said that such an event would be "a bit of a mission impossible".
Imola, which for a long time in the past hosted the San Marino Grand Prix, has not hosted a Formula 1 race since 2006. However, the circuit’s management has never given up on its ambitions to bring F1 back to its track. In 2016, when there were doubts about the future of Monza, the Imola circuit had already offered to host the Italian Grand Prix.
The Imola circuit has just contacted the president of the Automobile Club of Italy, Angelo Sticchi Damiani, regarding the organization of a Grand Prix to replace Shanghai, which is currently postponed.
In an interview with the British magazine Autosport, Imola president Uberto Selvatico Estense emphasized that the site is accredited to host Formula 1 and could be ready in time.
« It would be very difficult to organize, but the track is ready » he explains.
« We can move very quickly to organize a Grand Prix, as we have done in the past. We would not be in ideal conditions, but if it is necessary, we will do it. »
A logistical and commercial challenge
Selvatico Estense adds: « We have homologation for F1. The pit building meets the standards, I think we’re missing part of the hospitality facilities, but we can organize that very quickly if necessary. »
Despite a certain enthusiasm for the return of a Grand Prix to Imola, the circuit’s president explains that many logistical and commercial issues would be difficult to manage:
« It’s a bit of a mission impossible, but why not? Anything is possible if Liberty wants it. I am a dreamer! I have always hoped that this opportunity would come. But it’s very difficult, it’s true. »
Nevertheless, given the very short time frame and the lack of time to sell tickets, Imola would not be able to pay the same fees as other European races, which could be a hindrance for Liberty Media in holding a Grand Prix in Imola.
« Obviously, it will not be possible to pay the same taxes as what the others pay. But it happened in the same way in GP2 in the past, when the promoter asked us to solve their problem. We eventually reached an agreement and it was possible. »
Finally, Selvatico Estense explains that he would be happy to see the name of San Marino on a Grand Prix again in order to avoid having two Italian Grand Prix.
