About Imola
The Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari is a race track near the Italian town of Imola, 40 kilometres (25 mi) east of Bologna. It is one of the few major international circuits to run in an anti-clockwise direction. The circuit is named after Ferrari's late founder, Enzo Ferrari, and his son, Alfredo "Dino" Ferrari.
Imola is steeped in history and tragedy, most notably the 1994 weekend that claimed the lives of Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna. These events led to significant safety modifications, including the introduction of chicanes at high-speed sections like Tamburello. Despite these changes, the track retains its old-school character, with little run-off and plenty of gravel traps.
The circuit is fast and flowing, set within a parkland environment that includes the Santerno river. It requires a car with good balance and a driver with commitment. Famous corners like Acque Minerali and Rivazza challenge the very best. It returned to the F1 calendar in 2020 and remains a beloved venue for the "Tifosi" of Ferrari.
Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari is owned by the Comune di Imola through its subsidiary Formula Imola SpA, established in 1998 to consolidate management of the circuit and its adjacent equestrian centre. The venue's F1 hosting deal expires in 2025 and its renewal is currently uncertain amid a Formula One Management push to rotate European classic circuits. Enzo Ferrari himself never lived to see the circuit renamed in his honour—the addition of his name to the venue's title occurred only in 1988 after his death that August, whereas the Autodromo had carried the son Dino's name alone since 1970. The paddock and pit lane building were rebuilt entirely in 2007 after an aggressive resurfacing programme allowed the layout to earn its FIA Grade 1 homologation for hosting Formula One again after seven years of MotoGP-only certification.