Written by Aiden Hover, Edited by Umut Yelbaşı
The circuit management along with Formula One have announced a long-term deal, signing a new contract until at least 2025.
The iconic race at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari was a staple of the Formula One calendar throughout the 90s and early 2000s, looked upon fondly by fans before it was dropped in 2006. Making its return in 2020 due to scheduling issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the circuit has shown itself to be the same old Imola that motorsports fans loved so much.
The 2021 Italian Grand Prix at Imola (also going by the long-winded ‘Formula 1 Pirelli Gran Premio del Made in Italy e dell'Emilia Romagna 2021’ name) was one of the races that left its mark to last season, setting the stage beautifully for the championship battle that followed.
What began with the two championship rivals Hamilton and Verstappen touching wheels into turn one then played witness to a dramatic incident between George Russell and Valtteri Bottas, with the rest of the race having all manner of twists and turns. Lewis Hamilton drove superbly, recovering from a rare and costly mistake to finish second ahead of Lando Norris, who achieved his first of many podiums in 2021, whilst Max Verstappen rose to the top with a flawless wet weather drive to secure his first win of the year.
With races as thrilling as that being commonplace at the Italian venue, Formula One would be amiss not to extend its contract for the next few years.
Regarding the contract extension, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said:
“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.”
President of the Automobile Club of Italy, Angelo Sticchi Damiani, also stated:
“Today's agreement ratifies the presence of the Formula 1 Rolex Grand Prix of Made in Italy and Emilia Romagna at the Enzo and Dino Ferrari Circuit in Imola until 2025. Imola, its great history and the strong tie of its territory to the world of engines deserved this recognition. This is not only a great success for sport in Italy but also a great enrichment for the top international motorsport series that has confirmed in its calendar for several years one of the most difficult races, but also the greatest, and the one that's mostly loved by both drivers and teams.”
We at DIVEBOMB eagerly look forward to this year's event and many more at the beautiful circuit of Imola.
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