The Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in Imola is set to go ahead as planned despite fears it would have to be cancelled following building work at the circuit.
Formula 1 is set to take to Italy for the first time in 2023 from Friday 19 May, but improvement works to the garages and paddock posed a threat that many felt put the race weekend in jeopardy.
The Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, known more commonly as Imola by its location in Italy, returned to the F1 race calendar in 2020 amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and kept its spot in 2021 for the same reasons, despite initially being a one-off.
However, it has since returned for a third consecutive season and was one of three tracks to host F1’s sprint weekend format last season, which is expected to look slightly different this season once changes are agreed upon and confirmed.
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If and when F1 arrives to Imola this season, though, the weekend will be hosted under traditional format.
The European Le Mans series was meant to take place at the track on 7 May, but has been cancelled as a result of the building work going on at the circuit, with organisers looking to find a new date for the Imola Four Hours to take place on.
Per RaceFans, they explained the issues causing building delays: “The improvement works to the paddock and garage complex at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari were due to have been completed by the middle of April, but delays to the project mean the circuit won’t be ready to receive the teams from the European Le Mans Series, Michelin Le Mans Cup, Ligier European Series and Lamborghini Super Trofeo as planned.”
RaceFans further report that the building works are not expected to result in F1’s visit being cancelled at the end of next month.
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Before its return as a result of the pandemic, the circuit was used to host the San Marino Grand Prix from 1981 to 2006, and the Italian Grand Prix before that in 1980.
Lewis Hamilton took the chequered flag on its return in 2020 and took pole position in 2021, but could not convert it into another victory as Max Verstappen won on a rainy day in Italy.
Verstappen would then win at Imola again in 2022, as the circuit hosted a sprint race format weekend.