Imola looks ahead: Formula 1 GP weekend to mark start of renewal talks. Imola prepares for a record-breaking 2025 GP.

During the presentation of the 2025 Made in Italy and Emilia Romagna GP, which promises record numbers with an edition aiming to be memorable, much was also said about the opportunities to extend the story, possibly involving the Republic of San Marino again, picking up a thread that was cut in 2006…

Imola calls and does F1 answer? During the presentation of the Made in Italy and Emilia Romagna GP, which will be held at the Enzo and Dino Ferrari circuit from May 16 to 18, much was said about what is expected to be an edition to remember, but it’s no secret that the main focus was on the future.

Imola is putting on its best face for the 2025 GP: Mayor Marco Panieri spoke about new temporary grandstands that will bring the daily capacity to 92,500 spectators, for a total estimated audience of 210,000 people (a sell-out is expected for race day, while there are still tickets available for Friday and Saturday).

Tullio Del Sette, newly appointed Extraordinary Commissioner of the Automobile Club of Italy and representing the GP organizer, immediately took on the role to ensure no sand would jam the organizational machinery: “This year there are many new features: the renewal of the pit boxes, the upgrade of perimeter systems, and numerous structural and logistical interventions are fundamental steps in the continuous evolution of a facility that is increasingly modern and sustainable. The GP is an event that represents a valuable resource for the economic and social fabric of the entire territory. Such a significant achievement is made possible by a cohesive and efficient system of national and local institutional synergies, which is the cornerstone of the strategy to enhance a great sporting and motorsport tradition.”

It is interesting to note the collaboration between the center-right government and the Emilia Romagna Region and the Municipality, both center-left. For once, the historic divisions between Guelphs and Ghibellines did not appear, as an exemplary agreement was found for the 2025 edition.

The presence of Flavio Siniscalchi, Head of the Sports Department at the Prime Minister’s Office, was no coincidence: “The Made in Italy and Emilia Romagna GP is not only a symbol of our motorsport tradition but also a powerful economic engine with a spin-off approaching 300 million euros. It is a concrete demonstration of how sport can generate wealth and development for the regions. Events of this magnitude strengthen Italy’s role on the international stage and are also an opportunity to show the world a country that can combine tradition, innovation, and hospitality. Our commitment is to make sport increasingly central, also from an economic perspective.”

One thing is the present, another is looking to the future: the negotiations with Stefano Domenicali will begin precisely during the GP weekend. It won’t be easy, as the fee requested seems to have risen significantly (rumored to be 40 million euros, possibly negotiable down to 35), and the list of countries willing to invest heavily is growing longer.

Michele De Pascale, governor of Emilia-Romagna, doesn’t want to give up and issues a challenge: “Imola and this region represent Italian identity in the world like no other, and right now the Motor Valley is the European hub of an automotive segment that contributes uniquely to innovation. For the future of the Grand Prix, the country system has the resources and wants to deploy them—so much so that they’re already in the 2026 budget. And it’s not a problem having two Grands Prix in the same country, because we’ve done it in the past and we can do it again.”

So, the money should be there, and if the issue is not having two GPs in the same nation, there’s the possibility of reestablishing a connection with the Republic of San Marino, which named the race from 1981 to 2006. The intention, therefore, is to work toward ensuring a future. Should Madrid, already on the 2026 calendar, face organizational (not financial) issues, it’s not out of the question that Imola could become the… reserve, potentially recovering the edition missed in 2023 due to flooding. “It’s a consideration, but we’re aiming for a major long-term, institutional-type agreement, and we believe we’re still in the game. And our first card to play will be a great 2025 edition.”

No one is saying it out loud, but the only realistic path for Imola to build a future is for the Enzo and Dino Ferrari circuit to enter a rotation with other prestigious European races like Spa-Francorchamps. The door seems open, but we’ll have to wait for renewal talks to begin to know more.

During the event, the GP poster was also presented, featuring Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris, and rookie Kimi Antonelli. The Italian Mercedes driver, the undisputed revelation of this season’s start, has already earned great respect not only among insiders. It didn’t go unnoticed that all the speakers at the GP presentation mentioned Kimi Antonelli before Ferrari. The 18-year-old from Bologna is receiving widespread support that goes far beyond his Emilian roots. A sign of changing times? The crisis at Scuderia Ferrari is certainly being felt…