The Imola circuit has announced it is renewing its FIA grade one licence which permits it to hold Formula 1 races, as the series indicates it is considering multiple European venues for grands prix.
The Italian track already held a grade one licence, which was due to expire on Wednesday next week. Formula 1 last visited the circuit in 2006, but part of the track layout has changed since then. Imola held the Italian Grand Prix in 1980, and the San Marino Grand Prix subsequently.As RaceFans revealed on Monday, Formula 1 has approached Ferrari over the possibility of holding a race at its Mugello circuit in Tuscany. The two Italian circuits were among three tracks which F1 put to fans as potential venues for races this year in a poll on social media.
The third was the Autodromo do Algarve track in Portugal, which like Mugello has never previously held a round of the world championship. It announced the renewal of its FIA grade one licence in April.
That vacancy opens up a slot which F1 could fill with relatively little difficulty by visiting either of the other two Italian circuits.
Sochi, which was due to hold the Russian Grand Prix on September 27th, one week after the Singapore Grand Prix, is understood to be keen to hold two races. That could impinge upon the hopes of the Italian venues. However the cancellation of Japan’s race on October 11th also leaves three vacant weekends between Russia’s race and the United States Grand Prix.
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Chaitanya
12th June 2020, 15:51
Are the gravel traps still there or have they been replaced in all these years?
Jere (@jerejj)
12th June 2020, 16:25
@Chaitanya Yes, at least according to the present google maps satellite-image. The street view footage is from 2012, though.
https://www.google.fi/maps/place/Autodromo+Enzo+e+Dino+Ferrari/@44.3414175,11.7098221,1516m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x81177e3551c217a6!8m2!3d44.3443574!4d11.719392
Imre (@f1mre)
12th June 2020, 20:25
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrCeZNs0iCI
Louis (@louis)
12th June 2020, 16:15
I hope F1 hasn’t forgotten about re-scheduling the Montreal GP, perhaps a week before the US GP if there’s now a opening.
black (@black)
12th June 2020, 16:39
A week before the US GP?… so on October 18?… in Montreal?
These front wings are going to work excellently as snowplows :P
Jere (@jerejj)
12th June 2020, 18:53
@louis Too cold for F1 in October, LOL. The Canadian GP is a lost-case for this year. It would’ve been better to just outright cancel it back in April ahead of Easter when it lost its scheduled race day of June 14 for this year.
@black – LOL.
Dan (@canon1753)
12th June 2020, 22:25
It was that late up until 81. Could be great could be frigid…
Phil Norman (@phil-f1-21)
13th June 2020, 10:20
According to the info I have found the Canadian GP was held in October twice. In 1976 and 1978. However up until the start of the 1980s it was held in late September.
Jon Bee
12th June 2020, 16:22
F1 making decisions based on Twitter polls?
What next – fan boost?
Invisiblekid (@invisiblekid)
12th June 2020, 16:43
Why not? It’s already a topsy turvy season and it’s only gathering views when there is in fact a choice on venues to get a decent amount of races.
What you prefer exactly? FIA “we’re having two races at Sochi” “or you can choose an extra race at a circuit that isn’t a bucket of plop”
If we get Fan Boost, then yes everyone needs sacking.
black (@black)
12th June 2020, 17:04
It’s not bad, but given it’s Liberty we’re talking about it’s a double-edged sword.
If one poll asks “which circuit would you like F1 to go this year? : a) Imola, b) Mugello, c) Portimao”
the very next poll could ask “how much do you like the idea of reverse grid sprint races? : a) a lot, b) very much, c) i like it but with double points on the season finale as a bonus” without mentining any other options and they can take any answer and say “look the fans obviously want this so we’re bringing it”.
Jon Bee
13th June 2020, 1:34
That is exactly how LM are operating. Only a few days ago, Ross Brawn was denying all knowledge of where the reverse grids nonsense came from, claims he hasn’t a clue, etc, etc. On Friday it pops up again. Does Brawn believe we’ve all got the memory of a goldfish?
Ross Brawn said he’d work to change F1. He didn’t promise to make it better, well he might have, but he’s been to sleep since then.
Niefer (@niefer)
12th June 2020, 18:18
I will always have a soft spot for Imola since it was my favorite as a kid. But after 1994 doomed the track forever, I kinda feel indifferent if it integrates the Calendar or not. Still, it’d be nice to see how current generation behaves at sectors 2 and 3, especially with the new pit straight. Maybe if they raced there I’d guess they’d find out either Tamburello or Villeneuve chicanes is dispensable. I mean, coming from Rivazza, the first chicane isn’t any safer than Tamburello was. Also, coming from T4 without Villeneuve-bends in the way, I pretty much believe Tosa’s runoff would be good enough.
zomtec (@zomtec)
12th June 2020, 22:20
Talking about modifications I’d like them to get rid of Variante Alta.
Niefer (@niefer)
13th June 2020, 2:26
@zomtec – I always wanted Variante Alta gone as well, but a thing I’ve noticed is that T14 runoff would be insufficient for the built speed. Sadly, it can’t be expanded because of the houses right behind the walls (funnily enough, even Tosa has some space for a change, but here I divagate). Therefore, the only feasible solution would be changing the course at the entire Rivazza.
armando
12th June 2020, 19:10
imola must be in calendar these year, i want montreal also
Win7Golf (@win7golf)
13th June 2020, 10:53
Autódromo Internacional do Algarve (Portugal)
https://www.google.fi/maps/place/Aut%C3%B3dromo+Internacional+do+Algarve/@37.2310512,-8.6330054,1744m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0xd1b249a14a3de87:0x5eb2446732b74a50!8m2!3d37.2313331!4d-8.6283276