Imola embarks on major facelift as F1 dream remains alive

The Imola circuit is undertaking a huge overhaul as it aims to keep the door open to an Formula 1 return.

The Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari returned to F1 in recent years as a COVID 19 stop-gap and was subsequently awarded a three-year contract extension to 2025. But with the number of European races coming under pressure, and F1 hosting two races in Spain in 2026 - in Barcelona and Madrid - the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix had to make way for 2026.

Instead, Imola has commissioned a long-awaited overhaul, aimed at diversifying its year-round offerings while also preparing for a potential F1 return in the future.

Despite its exclusion from the 2026 calendar, the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari is working with the Municipality of Imola to modernise its facilities, so that it will be ready in case an opportunity opens up.

Given the increasingly high financial demands of F1, it currently seems implausible to see Imola return as a permanent fixture, with it thought more likely to be kept on standby as a reserve venue or enter a European rotation with other races, with the Belgian Grand Prix the first to have concluded such a deal.

A major restyling of the paddock

But that isn't stopping organisers from commissioning a big, and long overdue, revamp, starting with a major restyling of the paddock following requests from competitors.

Firstly, the waterproof area will be enlarged to provide more space for the teams and streamline logistics. Secondly, the square near the medical centre will be repaved to meet the requirements of the FIA World Endurance Championship. This means that the areas currently covered with dirt (1,490m2) and interlocking concrete blocks (5,340m2) will be replaced with eco-friendly asphalt, while further modifications will ensure higher standards of safety and functionality.

In addition, work has begun on covering the pit terrace, which will be completed in three phases. The wall separating the paddock from the river will be reinforced to protect against flooding, and the noise barrier isolating the houses inside the racetrack will be extended.

La Casa degli Eventi

The old house inside the Tosa hairpin has been demolished to make way for a new hospitality facility, the so-called “Casa degli Eventi”. This will be a multi-purpose structure that offers excellent views of the corner through a large semi-circular glass window.

Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari

Also near Tosa, the road network will be modified, both to improve access to the stands and to ensure greater safety for every day users. The bridge will be widened from one to two lanes (with a cycle path), while two strategic roundabouts will connect Via Tiro a Segno to Via Kennedy on one side and Via Quarantini on the other more efficiently.

Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari

A varied calendar for year-round activities

Despite F1's absence Imola still boasts an impressive international motorsport calendar, headlined by the WEC's season opener in April, the 6 Hours of Imola. Other notable events include the ACI Racing Weekend, Lamborghini Arena, CIV Moto, the historic Minardi Day, and the European Le Mans Series, with October's Imola Classic the last major racing event on this year's calendar.

But in order to build its year-round calendar, Imola is also seeking to diversify its offerings with non-racing events. In addition to the Imola Duathlon in 5 and 6 April, Enzo e Dino Ferrari will also host music concerts in a new area dubbed the called Music Park Arena, which could double up as a fan zone for motor racing events.

The end goal in all of this is for Imola to repeat its 2025 attendance figure of nearly one million fans, even without the 212,000 fans flocking to the circuit for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.

Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari