Imola’s absence would represent a heavy blow for Italian motorsport, which would be left with only Monza to represent the Italian flag in the F1 circus. The race on the Santerno circuit had returned to the calendar in 2020 as an emergency event during the pandemic but had since earned a permanent spot thanks to its unique atmosphere and passionate crowd.
Awaiting the official F1 2026 calendar: is it goodbye for Imola
During the 2025 Spanish GP weekend, the Italian media encountered some official representatives of the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in the paddock at the Barcelona circuit. According to speculation gathered on-site, their presence might be linked to the formalization of Imola’s removal from the calendar.
It is still unclear whether the exclusion will be temporary or permanent, but several paddock sources suggest that the departure is now inevitable, also due to pressure from new non-European circuits eager to enter the calendar with multi-year contracts and significant budgets. One thing that could save Imola, however, is the potential absence of Madrid from next year’s calendar. If the Spanish circuit is not completed in time, Imola might return to F1’s plans.
The official announcement of the F1 2026 calendar is expected soon, and only then will there be definitive confirmation of Imola’s absence. However, the information gathered by the Italian media makes this outcome highly likely. The hope remains that it is only a temporary break and that the historic Italian circuit can return as a key player in the future.
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