Tragedy, rebirth and glory: 7 highlights from the Grand Prix of Emilia-Romagna

Imola. This name resonates in the hearts of F1 enthusiasts like few other circuits. Located in the heart of the Italian countryside, the Emilia-Romagna track bears the scars and triumphs that have shaped the history of the discipline. Here are seven notable facts from past editions.

1. A race, three identities

The Imola track has had several lives in the F1 World Championship. In 1980, the Imola circuit exceptionally hosted the Italian Grand Prix during the renovations of Monza, with a victory by Nelson Piquet in a Brabham. From 1981 to 2006, it was under the name San Marino Grand Prix that the circuit was established long-term on the calendar, allowing Italy to organize two races in the same season.

After 14 years of absence, the race at Imola made its return in 2020 under the name Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, taking advantage of the calendar reshuffle caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This revival allowed the circuit to reclaim its place in the hearts of drivers and fans, becoming a must-attend event in the championship.

2. 1994: The weekend that changed F1

The old walls of Imola still remember that weekend in April 1994. On Friday, Rubens Barrichello flew through the air at Variante Bassa. On Saturday, Roland Ratzenberger did not return from the qualifying session. On Sunday, Ayrton Senna left the track at Tamburello. Three accidents in three days, two deaths. F1 would not come out unscathed.

These tragedies triggered a true revolution in terms of safety. The circuit was deeply modified, especially the fast Tamburello corner where Senna lost his life, now replaced by a chicane that significantly reduces speed. The Villeneuve corner, the scene of Ratzenberger’s fatal accident, was also reconfigured. But the impact would extend beyond Imola; indeed, Formula 1 as a whole would be transformed, with a drastic strengthening of protection standards for drivers and circuits.

3. Michael Schumacher: the King of Imola

With seven victories between 1994 and 2006, Michael Schumacher holds the absolute record for wins on this track. His first victory in 1994, overshadowed by the tragedy that claimed Senna’s life, was paradoxically the start of his domination. In 2000, his first win under Ferrari colors in front of the Tifosi marked the beginning of a prosperous era. Until 2006, he would accumulate successes, including a final victory in 2006 against Alonso after a memorable strategic duel. This final triumph would seal his legend on this circuit before his first retirement.

4. Ayrton Senna: the emperor of qualifying

Ayrton Senna etched his name in Imola’s history through his absolute mastery of qualifying. Between 1985 and 1994, the Brazilian secured eight pole positions, including seven consecutive ones—a record in F1 for the same Grand Prix. His three victories in 1988, 1989, and 1991 only imperfectly reflect his Saturday dominance. His last pole in 1994, achieved ahead of Schumacher, would precede by a few hours the tragic accident at Tamburello.

This record in pole positions, with the seven consecutive ones listed in the Guinness Book of Records, remains unmatched today, a testament to his genius for extracting the maximum from a single-seater in a fast lap.

5. Fernando Alonso: the guardian of memory

Fernando Alonso is currently the only driver on the current grid to have participated in the San Marino Grand Prix between 2001 and 2006. At 43, the Spaniard continues the link between two eras of the circuit.

His victory in the 2005 edition remains etched in memory. That day, behind the wheel of his Renault, Alonso fended off the assaults of Michael Schumacher (who started 13th) in the final laps to win with a 0.2-second lead and strengthen his leading position in a championship he would eventually win at the end of the season. Twenty years later, the double world champion continues to navigate this track with a unique understanding of its specifics.

6. Verstappen, the strongman of the modern era

Since Imola’s return to the calendar, Max Verstappen has won there three times: in 2021, 2022, and 2024. This record makes him the most successful driver of the modern era of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.

His 2021 victory, achieved in the rain against Lewis Hamilton during their showdown for the world title, demonstrated his solidity in challenging conditions. The following year, Verstappen delivered a flawless weekend with a Grand Slam: pole position, victory, led every lap, and fastest lap. An exceptional performance in Formula 1.

In 2024, his supremacy was further challenged, with Lando Norris finishing just 0.725 seconds behind in second place. With McLaren now at the forefront and Mercedes always on the lookout, the four-time world champion will still hope to remain the master of the field this weekend.

7. Ferrari regains honors at home

The 2024 edition marked the end of a long drought for the Scuderia at Imola. On that day, Charles Leclerc climbed to the third step of the podium, giving the Italian team their first podium on this circuit since Michael Schumacher’s victory in 2006. This performance ended an 18-year dry spell for Ferrari on home soil. For the Italian public, the Tifosi, seeing red on the Imola podium again was a moment of intense emotion after years of waiting.

Second home circuit for Ferrari after Monza, Imola generates particular pressure on the shoulders of the Italian team’s drivers. This is especially true given that Maranello is located less than 100 kilometers from the circuit. This year, the presence of Lewis Hamilton at the wheel of the red car adds an additional level of anticipation. However, with a complicated start to the 2025 season, it remains to be seen if the Scuderia can climb the podium in front of its home crowd again.

Imola is not a circuit like the others. Every corner tells a story, every straight carries memories. From the dramas of 1994 to Verstappen’s triumphs, Alonso’s battles to the resurgence of Ferrari, this weekend’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix promises to be a new page in a book that never stops being written.