‘Increasingly difficult’ – Iconic F1 Grand Prix set to DISAPPEAR in major shake-up to race calendar

NEXT month’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix could be the final race at Imola.

The iconic Italian circuit has hosted 30 Formula One races since 1980.

Getty

This year’s Grand Prix at Imola could be the last at the iconic Italian circuit[/caption]

Alamy

Imola returned to the schedule in 2020 after leaving in 2006[/caption]

CEO Stefano Domenicali has hinted Italy could lose one of its two Grands Prix as “interest grows” around the sport.

Italy currently has two races on the F1 calendar, at Imola and Monza.

But bosses are keen to take races to new audiences around the world.

F1 signed a new deal with Monza last year which will keep it on the calendar until at least 2031.

Next month’s race at Imola is the last of its current contract – and Domenicali has suggested bosses are considering an alternative venue.

Domenicali said: “Italy has always been and will be an important part of Formula 1.

“It will be increasingly difficult to have two races in the same country because interest in F1 is growing.

“It’s a situation we will have to deal with in the coming months.

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“It’s hard for this situation with Imola and Monza to continue together on the calendar for long.”

Imola held its first world championship event in 1980 when it took over the running of the Italian Grand Prix for one year.

While it was known as the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994, legendary driver Ayrton Senna crashed and tragically passed away at the circuit.

Every year, the Grand Prix offers F1 fans the chance to remember the legendary driver.

Imola was used as an F1 venue until 2006, before returning again in 2020 as bosses sought European tracks during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Max Verstappen took the chequered flag in 2024, beating McLaren’s Lando Norris into second.

Norris has enjoyed a strong start to the new season and currently leads the Drivers Standings from team-mate Oscar Piastri.

Before heading to Imola on May 18, the drivers will contend with the Saudi Arabia and Miami Grand Prixs.