F1 has released the calendar for the 2026 F1 season, and a major omission has caused upset among fans. The Imola GP won’t feature next season and has been replaced by a second race in Spain, in the capital Madrid.
Imola is a classic track that was in operation from 1981 to 2006. The track came back in the Covid-19 hit season in 2020 and remained on the calendar until 2025. Fans have taken to social media to voice their displeasure at the track being committed for 2026.
Fans rage at Imola GP being dropped for 2026
The Imola GP is a fan favourite which holds history in the sport. Imola is also the closest track to Maranello, which is where the Ferrari cars are made, and the Tifosi flock to the track to support their heroes in red.
Removing Imola is just stupid and shows again how much of this is just business and not pure racing !!
— DigitalSach (@speak_SACH_in) June 10, 2025
Formula One Group chief executive Stefano Domenicali had admitted earlier this season that the Imola GP was under threat of being dropped. He claimed it would be difficult to hold two races in the same country. This is despite the US holding three Grand Prix and Spain hosting two Grand Prix next season.
they could remove one of the THREE usa gp and bring back imola pic.twitter.com/pIpnC0GgFK
— Mari (@jungwonartt) June 10, 2025
This sparked outrage with fans on social media. One wrote: “They could remove one of the THREE usa gp and bring back Imola.”
Other fans were left reeling from the decision, saying: “Removing Imola is just stupid and shows again how much of this is just business and not pure racing!!”
Another added: “Losing Imola is bad for the sport.”
Losing Imola is bad for the sport
— michael pain (@mikip555) June 10, 2025
Drivers had spoken out against Imola being dropped. Max Verstappen said it would be “a shame” if the Italian track disappeared from the calendar. Overtaking has been difficult over the years at the circuit, but this season, it delivered a good race. If this is its final swansong, it would be a fitting way to end its F1 tenure.
Is there hope for Imola to return to the calendar?
Imola lost F1 an estimated 20 million dollars in 2023 when the race had to be cancelled due to flooding in the area. The track also pays one of the lowest fees to host an F1 race. This could be why F1 decided to pull the plug on the track. But there is hope of its return.
Earlier this season, the Belgium GP was announced to be staying on the F1 calendar, but on a rotational basis. Spa-Francochamps signed a new six-year deal, under which four races would be held. This allows a race to appear for two seasons in 2028 and 2030.
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
With Imola being removed from the calendar, there is a high chance the Italian track could be brought in for those two seasons. However, there is likely to be competition for the spot. With two races in Spain next year, it is likely the track in Barcelona will fall off the grid after next season. This adds competition for Imola to fill those two slots. The 2025 GP might have been the last time we see the classic Italian track.
