Endurance saves Imola’s honour
With Formula 1 likely to set its wheels down for the last time in 2025 at Imola, only endurance racing will continue to come to the Italian circuit.
Before stirring controversy, in this article we will only discuss automobiles on a global level. Of course, other sports championships will continue to tread the hilly circuit of Imola.
We expected it, but the axe has fallen. No legendary Italian track on the Formula 1 calendar in 2026 and beyond. A real disappointment, both for the drivers and the public, as Imola breathes F1. The tifosi gather there in large numbers, and many exploits have taken place there.
In the legend of Formula 1
The battle between Alonso and Schumacher, the 1982 Ferrari war, the aggressive starts at Tamburello. But unfortunately, also tragedies. We won’t revisit what happened in 1994; everyone must have it in mind.
But now, today, the leaders of Formula 1 have decided to turn their backs on history and the classics to embrace Las Vegas, Miami, Jeddah. Soulless places, where only money reigns. It’s a shame. Although Lauda, Prost, Piquet, Mansell raced on street circuits, in our modern era, it’s bordering on ridiculous.
While Formula 1 cars will probably no longer officially race in central Italy – except for private testing – a competition continues to make its presence felt in Imola: endurance racing.
Imola is a magnificent circuit that we all love.
The WEC goes there every year and regularly offers thrilling races: 2024 with its unstable weather conditions, 2025 with the wild Ferrari/Toyota battle… And for 6 hours of racing, you get your money’s worth. And as if that wasn’t enough, the Italians can have another go.
This weekend, the ELMS will set up camp along the Santerno, right in the heart of the Acque Minerali park. A destination that delights everyone in the paddock. At IDEC Sport, they are unanimous. “Very happy to return to this classic circuit that I love, like all drivers,” assures Nicolas Minassian, the team principal. Paul-Loup Chatin shares the same opinion. “Imola is a magnificent circuit that we all love.”
Imola, a reputation similar to Spa. Fast, historic, but a bit dangerous. A track that is both easy and complex. Even though it doesn’t seem difficult to master at first glance, traps are everywhere. That’s what gives it its charm, its pedigree.
If Formula 1 shuns these old, legendary circuits, endurance racing revels in them. The championship, the drivers, the teams, and the public. Of course, the WEC abandoned Sebring for Qatar, which is unfortunate because the circuit in Florida was a true challenge for everyone. But which competition still goes to Fuji? Who still trusted Portimao in 2023?
Ah yes, and doesn’t the ELMS go to Castellet every year? Just like in Spa, by the way… And on the other side of the Atlantic, for the IMSA, look at the calendar: Watkins Glen, Road Atlanta, Sebring, Laguna Seca… All impressive tracks, challenging and testing all participants. Nothing like what we will experience in Madrid.
