Round 7 of the 2025 F1 season takes us to the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.
Everything You Need to Know About the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix
Each year, the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix is an anticipated event on the F1 calendar. Held at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, more commonly known as Imola, the race draws its name from the surrounding region of Emilia-Romagna.
Though it only returned to the F1 calendar in 2020, the circuit boasts a rich heritage, making it one of the sport’s most sought-after venues.
IT’S RACE WEEK IN IMOLA 🇮🇹💪#F1 #ImolaGP pic.twitter.com/CYYbkxXkmS
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 12, 2025
The Schedule
| Date | Session | Time* |
|---|---|---|
| 16 May | Practice 1 | 13:30 – 14:30 |
| 16 May | Practice 2 | 17:00 – 18:00 |
| 17 May | Practice 3 | 12:30 – 13:30 |
| 17 May | Qualifying | 16:00 – 17:00 |
| 18 May | Race | 15:00 |
*Track Time
A Multifaceted Legacy
Located just 40 kilometres east of Bologna, Imola is one of the few circuits that run anti-clockwise. It first opened in 1953 and was originally named Autodromo di Imola. In 1988, the track was renamed to honour Enzo Ferrari and his son Dino, underlining its close ties to the Scuderia Ferrari team, based nearby in Maranello.
Imola has long been a staple of motorsport. After hosting non-championship F1 events in the 1960s and 1970s, it debuted on the official calendar in 1980, temporarily replacing Monza as the host of the Italian Grand Prix.
From 1981 to 2006, it served as the venue for the San Marino Grand Prix. However, the circuit’s legacy is also marked by tragedy. The 1994 San Marino Grand Prix claimed the lives of Roland Ratzenberger and three-time world champion Ayrton Senna.
In the wake of these tragedies, the layout was heavily modified to improve safety, particularly the Tamburello corner. Despite these changes, F1 ceased visiting Imola after 2006.
The circuit underwent extensive renovations, including a revamped pit lane and reprofiled corners, but F1 did not return until the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the 2020 season.
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A Dramatic Return
With the pandemic affecting the original calendar, Imola was added as a late addition.
Branded the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, the 2020 race weekend became a two-day format, with just one practice session on Saturday. Valtteri Bottas took pole, but Lewis Hamilton emerged victorious, highlighting Mercedes’ dominance with the W11.
While this was initially billed as a one-off, the race returned in 2021 due to continued disruptions. Imola replaced the postponed Chinese Grand Prix and delivered a rain-soaked contest. Hamilton started from pole, but Max Verstappen claimed the win, signalling the start of their season-long rivalry.
Establishing Itself
Imola retained its spot on the calendar for 2022, and the race weekend included a Sprint format for the first time at this venue. Verstappen dominated the event, achieving a grand chelem, establishing his dominance with Red Bull.
Starting the week with some Imola snaps 📸🇮🇹#F1 #ImolaGP pic.twitter.com/OsFUMu2zDv
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 12, 2025
Verstappen’s dominance was expected again in 2023, but that year the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix never took place. When torrential rain and severe flooding caused by Storm Minerva devastated the region, the event was cancelled out of respect and safety.
Despite this setback, F1 returned in 2024, with Verstappen once again on top. McLaren’s Lando Norris and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc completed the podium, a proud moment for the Scuderia.
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Beyond F1
Though F1 garners global attention, Imola is far more than just an F1 circuit.
Over the years, it has hosted a wide range of motorsport series, including the Superbike World Championship, World Touring Car Championship, and the European Le Mans Series. Motorsport is not all that uses the venue either. World-class cycling events, such as the Giro d’Italia and the UCI Road World Championships, have also used the circuit’s challenging terrain.
Key Data
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| First Grand Prix | 1980 |
| Number of Laps | 63 |
| Circuit Length | 4.909 km |
| Race Distance | 309.049 km |
| Lap Record | 1:15.484 – Lewis Hamilton (2020) |
The Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix is contracted until at least 2025.
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Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / NurPhoto
Recording Date: 19.05.2024
