Imola is planning on a permanent return to the Formula 1 calendar after ending its 14-year absence in 2020, according to President of the Emilia Romagna region Stefano Bonaccini.
Drafted in as a replacement race due to the COVID-19 pandemic, last Sunday's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix marked the first race at Imola since 2006, and Bonaccini insists he plans for it to continue even when the calendar returns to normal.
“The experts and the drivers were all enthusiastic about the beauty of the place and, above all, of the track,” Bonaccini told Motorsport Week. “We strongly wanted the return of Formula 1 to Imola after 14 years, together with the Municipality, local institutions and the management of Formula Imola.
“It is with the same team that we will work immediately for the confirmation of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola next year and its stable inclusion in the calendar.
“It is a difficult period but in Emilia-Romagna we have shown once again that we do not stop and that we know how to look ahead.”
Seeing such dreams made reality might prove difficult with F1 reportedly set on a 23-race calendar for 2021 that already includes a new race in Saudi Arabia. However the circuit's president, Uberto Selvatico Estense, says that at the very least, his organisation impressed F1 bosses with their handling of the 2020 event.
“Formula 1 expressed congratulations for the organisation carried out, among other things, in record time," he said.
“[There is] the hope that the next Formula 1 race in Imola will be run with the presence of the public.
“I especially thank [Formula 1 CEO] Chase Carey and [Global Director of Race Promotion] Chloe Targett-Adams for the realisation of this dream who believed in us and who are helping us to hope for the future.”
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