Imola is ready to respond if Formula 1 needs the historic Italian circuit to return to the 2026 calendar, with mayor Marco Panieri believing the prospect is now closer than it was a year ago. The city is not officially back “on track” yet, but it remains close enough to the situation to be called upon at short notice if changes are required to the closing stages of the championship.
Marco Panieri is attending the Italian Grand Prix at Monza while keeping in contact with the Formula 1 world. Those relationships have continued to be cultivated by both the municipality and the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari since Imola dropped off the 2026 Formula 1 calendar.
Imola ready for possible 2026 F1 return
The scenario under consideration concerns the possibility of the Santerno circuit replacing one of the final two rounds of the season, currently scheduled for Qatar and Abu Dhabi between the end of November and the beginning of December. Both events depend on how the international situation develops.
Formula 1 is expected to resolve the question around the middle of September and has already made clear that, if the Gulf rounds cannot take place, the championship would conclude in Europe. Against that backdrop, Marco Panieri is spending the Monza weekend maintaining the relationships that could become crucial if Imola receives a late call.
Marco Panieri: ‘We’re on the bench, but right next to the pitch’
Speaking to Il Resto del Carlino, Marco Panieri used a clear analogy to describe Imola’s position: “We’re on the bench, but right next to the pitch.”
The mayor also stressed that any opportunity arising from the current geopolitical situation must be approached with humility and a sense of responsibility. Imola cannot and does not want to view war as something to celebrate simply because it could create an opening on the Formula 1 calendar.
“We are not rooting for the war to take something away from someone,” Marco Panieri said, “but sport is like this.”
If Formula 1 reaches a decision in mid-September, Imola would have only around 80 days to prepare for a Grand Prix held between November 29 and December 6.
“It’s a challenge within a challenge,” the mayor acknowledged, “but we have all the expertise needed to complete it.”
Marco Panieri also looked at what a possible Formula 1 return would mean beyond the race itself, both for Imola and for the wider Emilia-Romagna region.
“Once again, history would save this modern F1,” he observed, imagining Europe as a safe harbour for the championship during such a complicated international period. With its long Formula 1 history, Imola could become particularly valuable if the sport suddenly requires a familiar, established and reliable venue.
Why Imola believes it has an advantage over rival circuits
Imola would not be the only candidate. Portimão and Istanbul are among the alternatives being considered, but the Santerno venue believes it starts from a strong position thanks to its recent Formula 1 experience, an already homologated facility and an organisational structure that would not need to be built from scratch.
The circuit has already demonstrated its ability to return to Formula 1 at relatively short notice. Imola’s previous fight to secure a place on the F1 calendar followed its comeback in 2020, beginning a run of recent experience that could now become an important advantage.
The possibility of cold December weather is a genuine consideration, but it would not be completely unprecedented territory. Imola hosted Formula 1 on November 1 in 2020, with the race starting at 13:10, while Racing Bulls has also used the circuit for winter testing in January for several years.
Imola waiting for Formula 1’s decision
“Another ten days or so and we wait for the decision,” Marco Panieri summarised.
The countdown has therefore begun. At Monza, the Imola mayor is an interested observer of a weekend that could have implications far beyond the Italian Grand Prix itself.
If Formula 1 makes the call, Imola will have to move from the bench onto the field — and it will have to do so quickly. The city’s position is clear: it believes it has the experience, infrastructure and organisational capability to respond if the 2026 championship suddenly needs a European venue for its closing stages.
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