The Imola GP, formerly known as the San Marino GP, is one of the classic tracks on the F1 calendar. The circuit was first used in the 1981 season, with Nelson Piquet winning the debut race. It was axed from the calendar for the 2007 season and was not seen again until the 2020 season. During the COVID-19 hit season, Imola was brought back into the calendar and has featured ever since.
However, the contract for the Imola GP expires after this season. Wheel-to-wheel racing has proved difficult with the larger cars. This has led to pressure on whether the contract will be extended. Formula One Group chief executive Stefano Domenicali has admitted the future of the race is in doubt.
Imola GP could face the axe, admits F1 chief executive
Stefano Domenicali has admitted it would be difficult for F1 to have two races in Italy next season. Monza is already tied up until 2031, meaning it would be Imola to drop off the calendar. With the Madrid street circuit and the Barcelona GP set to run next year, a European race might have to drop off the calendar to allow for both Spanish races.
Speaking to Radio Dai Gr Parlamento, Domenicali said: “I do not forget that Imola responded at a time of great difficulty, that of Covid. When there was a need to find new places, they responded immediately with the enthusiasm and ability of an entire city.
“It will be increasingly difficult to have two races in the same country because interest in Formula 1 is growing and it is a situation that we will have to face in the coming months. It is difficult for it to continue for a long time.”
However, Domenicali also faces this as a personal decision. The former Ferrari team principal was born in Imola and says it would be a hard choice to drop the race. He added, “From a human point of view, it will not be easy, but I have to exercise an international role that puts me in front of so many requests around the world from emerging countries that can allow F1 to grow.”
BREAKING: We’ve agreed a multi-year extension with the iconic Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps that will see the #BelgianGP on the calendar in 2026, 2027, 2029 and 2031! 🇧🇪#F1 pic.twitter.com/IPexBCYzEc
— Formula 1 (@F1) January 8, 2025
The glimmer of hope for Imola is that F1 wants to rotate European races, meaning it might have a chance of hosting races in the future. The Belgium GP will be swapped out for two races in the next six years. Imola could fill that gap.
Which other track contracts expire at the end of the 2025 season?
The Imola GP has seen wheel-to-wheel action limited since its return in 2020. Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have won the four races held, while one was cancelled due to flooding. Overtaking is difficult due to the track layout, which has many fast, sweeping corners and only one short DRS zone.
However, the Imola GP isn’t the only race which has an expiring contract at the end of the 2025 season. The Las Vegas GP only signed an initial three-year contract, which ends after this season’s race. However, there are plans to extend the contract for a fourth ten years.
The Mexico GP also expires in 2025. With Sergio Perez being removed from the grid, there is a fear that interest in F1 in Mexico might dwindle. However, there are rumours that Checo could return to the grid with Cadillac. The Grand Prix’s director, Alejandro Soberon, was optimistic the race’s contract would be extended.
Could Cadillac Be Sergio Perez’s Next Destination After Red Bull?
It could be just the Imola GP that is race axed from this season’s calendar. Would you like to see the iconic race kept on the calendar? Let us know in the comments below.
