Imola’s hopes of holding Formula 1 again this year have moved a step closer after the circuit renewed its Grade 1 licence.
The Italian venue has emerged as a candidate for a European race later in the campaign, as F1 owners Liberty Media try to put together a schedule of at least 15 grands prix.
To hold F1, Imola needs an FIA Grade 1 Licence, and its previous certification was due to expire on June 17. But in a statement issued on Friday, Imola confirmed it has renewed the licence and that it is now setting it sights on holding an F1 race.
Uberto Selvatico Estense, Imola’s chairman, said: “With the renewal of the license we are in the condition to host also a F1 Grand Prix, having all the standards requested by FIA.
“We hope that such dream becomes true with the teamwork of the institutions and territory”.
The logical date for a race is September 13, forming the last leg of a triple header after the Belgian and Italian GPs.
One complication is that the date has already been bagged by MotoGP for the second event at Misano, which is just 100kms from Imola.
Although they won’t be competing for fans, the MotoGP race is to be known as the Emilia Romagna GP, and it might be difficult for the region to lend its name and support to two events on the same day.
Mugello has also been mentioned as a possible second Italian venue. However it faces some comprises in terms of creating a locked down environment for teams, as personnel would have to stay in the busy city of Florence.
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