Imola Circuit facts for kids
  Configuration for FIA sanctioned events  Configuration for FIM sanctioned events |
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| Location | Imola, Emilia-Romagna, Italy |
|---|---|
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) CEST (DST) |
| Coordinates | 44°20′28″N 11°42′48″E / 44.34111°N 11.71333°E |
| Capacity | 78,000 |
| FIA Grade | 1 |
| Broke ground | 22 March 1950 |
| Opened | 25 April 1953 |
| Former names | Autodromo Dino Ferrari (1970–1988) Autodromo di Castellaccis (1953–1970) |
| Major events |
Current:
Future:
Former:
|
| Grand Prix Circuit (2008–present) | |
| Length | 4.909 km (3.050 mi) |
| Turns | 19 |
| Race lap record | 1:15.484 ( Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W11, 2020, Formula One) |
| Motorcycle Circuit (2009–present) | |
| Length | 4.936 km (3.068 mi) |
| Turns | 20 |
| Race lap record | 1:45.727 ( Chaz Davies, Ducati Panigale V4 R, 2019, World SBK) |
| Grand Prix Circuit (1995–2006) | |
| Length | 4.959 km (3.081 mi) |
| Turns | 22 |
| Race lap record | 1:20.411 ( Michael Schumacher, Ferrari F2004, 2004, Formula One) |
| Grand Prix Circuit (1980–1994) | |
| Length | 5.040 km (3.132 mi) |
| Turns | 22 |
| Race lap record | 1:24.335 ( Damon Hill, Williams FW16, 1994, Formula One) |
| Grand Prix Circuit (1973–1979) | |
| Length | 5.060 km (3.144 mi) |
| Turns | 20 |
| Race lap record | 1:33.610 ( Gilles Villeneuve, Ferrari 312T4, 1979, Formula One) |
| Original Grand Prix Circuit (1953–1972) | |
| Length | 5.018 km (3.118 mi) |
| Turns | 12 |
| Race lap record | 1:27.700 ( Helmut Marko, BRM P167, 1972, Group 7) |
The Imola Circuit, officially known as the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, is a famous motor racing track in Italy. It's located in the town of Imola, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) east of Bologna. This circuit is special because it's one of the few major tracks where cars race in an anti-clockwise direction.
The track is named after Enzo Ferrari, who started the Ferrari car company, and his son, Alfredo "Dino" Ferrari. It first opened in 1953 and was initially used for motorcycle races.
Imola has hosted many important races. It became famous for hosting Formula One races, including the 1980 Italian Grand Prix and the San Marino Grand Prix from 1981 to 2006. Over the years, the track has been updated to make it safer for drivers. Formula One returned to Imola in 2020 with the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. When F1 races here, it's like a home race for the Scuderia Ferrari team, which is based nearby.
Besides Formula One, the circuit has also hosted other exciting events. These include the Superbike World Championship, Motocross World Championship, and the European Le Mans Series. It has even been used for major road bicycle races like stages of the Giro d'Italia.
Contents
The Imola Circuit: A Look Back
Early Days and First Races
The circuit was first called the Autodromo di Castellaccis. It opened in 1953 as a track that was partly permanent. In its early days, it didn't have any chicanes (sharp turns added to slow cars down). This meant long, fast sections, including the famous Tamburello corner.
The first motorcycle races happened in April 1953. The first car race followed in June 1954. Imola hosted its first Formula One race in April 1963. This was a non-championship event, meaning it didn't count for the official F1 title.
Becoming a Grand Prix Host
In 1980, Imola officially joined the Formula One World Championship. It hosted the 1980 Italian Grand Prix. This was a big deal because it was the first time since 1948 that the Autodromo Nazionale Monza didn't host the Italian Grand Prix.
The race was a huge success. Because of this, a new race was created just for Imola: the San Marino Grand Prix. This race was held every year from 1981 until 2006. The track was about 5.040 kilometers (3.132 miles) long for these races.
Safety Changes and Modern Updates
Safety became a big concern at Imola, especially at the fast Tamburello corner. This corner was very bumpy and had little space between the track and a concrete wall. Several accidents happened here.
After some very serious incidents in 1994, major changes were made to the track. The fast Tamburello corner was changed into a slower series of left-right-left turns. Gravel traps were added to catch cars that went off track. Other corners, like Villeneuve, were also made slower and safer.
These changes made the track much safer for drivers. However, some people felt that the new chicanes changed the exciting, fast nature of the old circuit.
Formula One's Return to Imola
Formula One stopped racing at Imola after 2006. The track then went through big renovations. The old pit garages were torn down and rebuilt. The pit lane was also made longer and smoother.
After these improvements, Imola worked to bring Formula One back. It finally happened in 2020. The circuit hosted the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. This race was held over two days instead of the usual three. Imola has stayed on the F1 calendar since then.
In 2023, the Grand Prix was canceled due to severe flooding in the region. However, Imola is set to host F1 races until at least 2025.
Other Major Events at Imola
Imola is a very busy track and hosts many different types of races.
- Motorcycle Racing: It has been a regular host for the Superbike World Championship since 2001. It also hosts the final round of the FIM Motocross World Championship.
- Touring Car Racing: The World Touring Car Championship visited Imola several times. Other touring car series like the TCR International Series have also raced here.
- Endurance Racing: Imola has hosted long-distance endurance races, such as the 6 Hours of Imola and the 4 Hours of Imola for the European Le Mans Series.
- Cycling Events: The circuit has even been used for major road cycling races. Stages of the Giro d'Italia and the UCI Road World Championships have taken place on the track.
Fatal Accidents at Imola
Safety has always been a major focus in motorsport. Sadly, some accidents at Imola have resulted in fatalities. These incidents led to important safety improvements at the circuit.
- Sauro Pazzaglia – 1981 San Marino motorcycle Grand Prix (Qualifying)
- Roland Ratzenberger – 1994 San Marino Grand Prix (Qualifying)
- Ayrton Senna – 1994 San Marino Grand Prix (Race)
Lap Records at Imola
The Imola Circuit has seen some incredibly fast laps. The official lap record for the current Grand Prix circuit is 1 minute, 15.484 seconds. This was set by Lewis Hamilton in his Mercedes W11 car during the 2020 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
The fastest unofficial lap ever recorded at Imola is 1 minute, 13.609 seconds. This was set by Valtteri Bottas during qualifying for the same 2020 race.
Fastest Official Race Laps
| Category | Time | Driver | Vehicle | Event | Circuit Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix Circuit: 4.909 km (2008–present) | |||||
| F1 | 1:15.484 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes-AMG F1 W11 EQ Performance | 2020 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix | |
| GP2 Asia | 1:28.097 | Romain Grosjean | Dallara GP2/11 | 2011 Imola GP2 Asia Series round | |
| FIA F2 | 1:28.353 | Jehan Daruvala | Dallara F2 2018 | 2022 Imola Formula 2 round | |
| Auto GP | 1:32.189 | Kimiya Sato | Lola B05/52 | 2014 Imola Auto GP round | |
| LMP1 | 1:33.112 | Sébastien Bourdais | Peugeot 908 | 2011 6 Hours of Imola | |
| FIA F3 | 1:33.129 | Roman Staněk | Dallara F3 2019 | 2022 Imola Formula 3 round | |
| LMP2 | 1:33.702 | Lorenzo Colombo | Oreca 07 | 2022 4 Hours of Imola | |
| Euroformula Open | 1:35.273 | Jak Crawford | Dallara 320 | 2021 Imola Euroformula Open round | |
| LMP3 | 1:38.235 | Laurents Hörr | Duqueine M30 - D08 | 2022 Imola Le Mans Cup round | |
| FTwo (2009–2012) | 1:38.576 | Robert Wickens | Williams JPH1 | 2009 Imola Formula Two round | |
| Formula Regional | 1:38.769 | Hadrien David | Tatuus F.3 T-318 | 2021 Imola FREC round | |
| Renault Sport Trophy | 1:39.784 | Pieter Schothorst | Renault Sport R.S. 01 | 2016 Imola Renault Sport Trophy round | |
| Lamborghini Super Trofeo | 1:39.827 | Loris Spinelli | Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo Evo2 | 2022 Imola Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe round | |
| International Formula Master | 1:39.946 | Fabio Leimer | Tatuus N.T07 | 2009 Imola Formula Master round | |
| GT3 | 1:40.375 | Nicki Thiim | Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 | 2022 Imola GT World Challenge Europe round | |
| LM GTE | 1:41.024 | Matthew Griffin | Ferrari 458 Italia GT2 | 2014 4 Hours of Imola | |
| Formula Renault 2.0 | 1:42.423 | Anthoine Hubert | Tatuus FR2.0/13 | 2015 Imola Formula Renault 2.0 Alps round | |
| Ferrari Challenge | 1:43.468 | Eliseo Donno | Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo | 2022 Imola Ferrari Challenge Europe round | |
| SRO GT2 | 1:43.486 | Anders Fjordbach | Brabham BT63 GT2 Concept | 2022 Imola GT2 European Series round | |
| Porsche Carrera Cup | 1:44.241 | Benedetto Strignano | Porsche 911 (991 II) GT3 Cup | 2021 Imola Porsche Carrera Cup Italia round | |
| Formula 4 | 1:44.280 | Ugo Ugochukwu | Tatuus F4-T421 | 2023 Imola Italian F4 round | |
| LMPC | 1:44.443 | Kyle Marcelli | Oreca FLM09 | 2011 6 Hours of Imola | |
| JS P4 | 1:47.027 | Dimitri Enjalbert | Ligier JS P4 | 2022 Imola Ligier European Series round | |
| GT4 | 1:49.524 | Tom Canning | Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 | 2022 Imola GT4 European Series round | |
| TCR Touring Car | 1:51.647 | Mikel Azcona | CUPRA Leon Competición TCR | 2021 1st Imola TCR Italy round | |
| JS2 R | 1:53.793 | David Caussanel | Ligier JS2 R | 2022 Imola Ligier European Series round | |
| Super 2000 | 1:53.801 | Petr Fulín | SEAT León Cup Racer | 2016 Imola ETC round | |
| Renault Clio Cup | 2.03.093 | Felice Jelmini | Renault Clio R.S. IV | 2019 2nd Imola Renault Clio Cup Italy round | |
| Super 1600 | 2:10.140 | Niklas Mackschin | Ford Fiesta 1.6 16V | 2016 Imola ETC round | |
| Eurocup Mégane Trophy | 2:12.581 | Michele Bartyan | Renault Mégane RS Trophy | 2011 500 Miglia di Imola | |
| Motorcycle Circuit: 4.936 km (2009–present) | |||||
| World SBK | 1:45.727 | Chaz Davies | Ducati Panigale V4 R | 2019 Imola World SBK round | |
| World SSP | 1:51.101 | Jules Cluzel | MV Agusta F3 675 | 2015 Imola World SSP round | |
| Supersport 300 | 2:06.257 | Matteo Vanucci | Yamaha YZF-R3 | 2023 Imola World SSP 300 round | |
| Modified Grand Prix Circuit: 4.959 km (1995–2006) | |||||
| F1 | 1:20.411 | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari F2004 | 2004 San Marino Grand Prix |  |
| GP2 | 1:33.871 | Nicolas Lapierre | Dallara GP2/05 | 2005 Imola GP2 Series round | |
| F3000 | 1:38.936 | Giorgio Pantano | Lola B02/50 | 2002 Imola F3000 round | |
| Formula Renault 3.5 | 1:44.420 | Christian Montanari | Tatuus FRV6 | 2004 Imola Formula Renault V6 Eurocup round | |
| F3 | 1:47.137 | Valerio Scassellati | Dallara F399 | 2000 Imola Italian F3 round | |
| GT1 (GTS) | 1:47.399 | Uwe Alzen | Saleen S7-R | 2004 FIA GT Imola 500 km | |
| World SBK | 1:48.389 | Troy Bayliss | Ducati 998 F02 | 2002 Imola World SBK round | |
| 500cc | 1:49.436 | Mick Doohan | Honda NSR500 | 1997 City of Imola motorcycle Grand Prix | |
| Formula Renault 2.0 | 1:50.679 | Pascal Kochem | Tatuus FR2000 | 2004 Imola Formula Renault Eurocup round | |
| 250cc | 1:51.872 | Tetsuya Harada | Aprilia RSV 250 | 1997 City of Imola motorcycle Grand Prix | |
| N-GT | 1:52.425 | Lucas Luhr | Porsche 911 (996) GT3-RSR | 2004 FIA GT Imola 500 km | |
| GT2 | 1:52.567 | Emmanuel Collard | Porsche 911 (996) GT3-RSR | 2005 FIA GT Imola Supercar 500 | |
| World SSP | 1:53.122 | Kevin Curtain | Yamaha YZF-R6 | 2003 Imola World SSP round | |
| FIA GT Group-2 | 1:54.647 | Shaun Balfe | Mosler MT900R | 2005 FIA GT Imola Supercar 500 | |
| Super Touring | 1:55.737 | Emanuele Naspetti | BMW 320i | 1999 Imola Italian Superturismo round | |
| Porsche Carrera Cup | 1:56.928 | Richard Westbrook | Porsche 911 (997) GT3 Cup | 2005 Imola Porsche Supercup round | |
| 125cc | 1:58.490 | Valentino Rossi | Aprilia RS125R | 1997 City of Imola motorcycle Grand Prix | |
| Super 2000 | 1:59.756 | Fabrizio Giovanardi | Alfa Romeo 156 GTA Super 2000 | 2004 Imola ETCC round | |
| Grand Prix Circuit: 5.040 km (1980–1994) | |||||
| F1 | 1:24.335 | Damon Hill | Williams FW16 | 1994 San Marino Grand Prix |  |
| Group C | 1:37.840 | Pierluigi Martini | Lancia LC2 | 1984 1000 km of Imola | |
| F3000 | 1:38.290 | Gabriele Tarquini | March 87B | 1987 Imola F3000 round | |
| F3 | 1:45.429 | Luca Badoer | Dallara F391 | 1991 Imola Italian F3 round | |
| Group A | 1:51.799 | Antonio Tamburini | Alfa Romeo 155 GTA | 1992 Imola Italian Superturismo round | |
| 500cc | 1:53.360 | Kenny Roberts | Yamaha YZR500 | 1983 San Marino motorcycle Grand Prix | |
| GT1 | 1:54.254 | Marco Brand | Ferrari F40 | 1993 Imola Italian GT round | |
| BMW M1 Procar | 1:54.768 | Nelson Piquet | BMW M1 Procar | 1980 Imola BMW M1 Procar round | |
| Super Touring | 1:58.079 | Fabrizio Giovanardi | Peugeot 405 Mi16 | 1993 Imola Italian Superturismo round | |
| 250cc | 2:03.130 | Anton Mang | Kawasaki KR250 | 1981 San Marino motorcycle Grand Prix | |
| 125cc | 2:06.030 | Angel Nieto | Garelli 125 GP | 1983 San Marino motorcycle Grand Prix | |
| 50cc | 2:21.420 | Ricardo Tormo | Morbidelli 50 | 1983 San Marino motorcycle Grand Prix | |
| Original Grand Prix Circuit with Variante Alta and Variante Bassa: 5.060 km (1973–1979) | |||||
| F1 | 1:33.610 | Gilles Villeneuve | Ferrari 312 T4 | 1979 Dino Ferrari Grand Prix |  |
| Group 7 | 1:34.900 | George Follmer | Porsche 917/10 TC | 1973 Coppa Orro di Shell Imola | |
| Group 5 | 1:40.800 | Jean-Pierre Jarier | Matra-Simca MS670 | 1974 1000 km of Imola | |
| Group 6 | 1:42.300 | Jean-Pierre Jarier | Renault Alpine A442 | 1976 500 km of Imola | |
| F3 | 1:47.800 | Michele Alboreto | March 793 | 1979 Imola Italian F3 round | |
| 500cc | 1:56.000 | Kenny Roberts | Yamaha YZR500 | 1979 Nations motorcycle Grand Prix | |
| 350cc | 1:59.300 | Kork Ballington | Kawasaki KR350 | 1979 Nations motorcycle Grand Prix | |
| 250cc | 2:01.400 | Kork Ballington | Kawasaki KR250 | 1979 Nations motorcycle Grand Prix | |
| 125cc | 2:08.500 | Thierry Espié | Motobécane 125 | 1979 Nations motorcycle Grand Prix | |
| 50cc | 2:24.500 | Eugenio Lazzarini | Kreidler 50 GP | 1979 Nations motorcycle Grand Prix | |
| Original Grand Prix Circuit: 5.017 km (1953–1972) | |||||
| Group 7 | 1:27.700 | Helmut Marko | BRM P167 | 1972 Imola Interserie round |  |
| F2 | 1:31.900 | Peter Gethin | Chevron B20 | 1972 Imola F2 round | |
| Group 6 | 1:36.900 | Jacky Ickx | Mirage M3/300 | 1969 500 km of Imola | |
| Group 4 | 1:41.700 | Frank Gardner | Lola T70 Mk IIIB GT | 1969 500 km of Imola | |
| F3 | 1:42.300 | Sandro Cinotti | Brabham BT35C | 1972 1st Imola Italian F3 round | |
| F1 | 1:48.300 | Trevor Taylor | Lotus 25 | 1963 Imola Grand Prix | |
| Group 3 | 2:04.100 | Herbert Demetz | Abarth Simca 1300 GT | 1965 Gran Premio Shell Coppa Bologna | |
Non-Motorsport Events at Imola
The Imola Circuit isn't just for racing cars and motorcycles. It also hosts other fun events.
- Trading Exposition: Since 1981, the circuit has hosted the "Mostra Scambio." This is a big outdoor market where people buy and sell vintage vehicles and their parts.
- Music Concerts: Many famous musicians and bands have performed at the track. These include the Heineken Jammin' Festival, AC/DC, Guns N' Roses, and Pearl Jam.
- Public Access: Sometimes, the local government allows people to walk or cycle on the track. This gives everyone a chance to experience the famous circuit.
Images for kids
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The old pitlane in June 2006.
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Imola during reconstruction in March 2007.
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The new pitbox and start/finish straight in April 2008.
See also
In Spanish: Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari para niños
