The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix will continue to be held at Imola until at least 2025 following the signing of a new contract with the race promoter.
Autodromo Imola is set to remain on the Formula 1 calendar until at least 2025. The longer term future of the circuit’s spot on the schedule had been in doubt but a new four year contract extension secures Imola’s immediate future as an F1 circuit.
After a 14-year absence from the calendar, Imola has hosted the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in each of the last two seasons. The circuit will host the event for a third year in a row in April. The 2022 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix is expected to be the first F1 race at Imola since 2006 which fans are able to attend. Tickets for the race are not yet on sale.
Speaking about the new deal, Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said the signing of a new deal was a “proud moment”:
“I am delighted that we will be continuing our excellent partnership with Imola for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix until 2025. The circuit is iconic and has been part of the history of our sport and they have done an incredible job of hosting two races during the pandemic. It is a proud moment for our Italian fans to host two races and for all our fans around the world to see this fantastic circuit on the calendar for the future.”
Two races in Italy
Italy has hosted more F1 races than any other country. It is the only country to have hosted over 100 rounds of the World Championship. Monza will host the Italian Grand Prix for a 72nd time this year, while the 2022 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix will be the 30th race at Imola. Two other Italian circuits have appeared on the F1 calendar. Pescara hosted the only Pescara Grand Prix in 1957, while Mugello hosted the only Tuscan Grand Prix in 2020.
Imola first appeared on the F1 calendar in 1980, when it hosted the Italian Grand Prix. The circuit went on to host the San Marino Grand Prix in every season between 1981 and 2006. Imola returned to the F1 calendar amid the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, when it hosted a unique two-day event. It returned in 2021, hosting the second round of the season.
Sprint event at Imola in 2022
In October 2021, it was announced that the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix would replace the Chinese Grand Prix on the 2022 calendar.
The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix will be the first of three race weekends in 2022 to feature the Sprint format. After the traditional qualifying hour on Friday evening, a 30-minute sprint race on Saturday afternoon will decide the final grid.
