”The current F1 chief commented on the Italian event’s exclusion from the calendar
History alone is not enough
The words spoken by Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali in his interview on the BSMT podcast hosted by Gianluca Gazzoli are destined to spark significant debate. The Italian manager touched on numerous topics, but one of the most controversial concerned the Imola Grand Prix and its removal from the 2026 season calendar. Asked about the ‘historical’ value of Grands Prix and the importance of preserving certain traditional elements—such as specific circuits—in F1, the Circus CEO clearly suggested that this is no longer a decisive factor.
“Obviously if a Grand Prix has this historical value, it is something more,” Stefano Domenicali commented, “but it is not enough. History can be an important factor for those like me who have followed F1 since childhood, but for new fans who come to follow F1 there is a great ability to move on and forget the news. The ability to forget who won the year before is very high, and for many young fans following F1 today, racing in Monte Carlo rather than at the new Las Vegas circuit is indifferent. History must be supported by being a structure that looks to the future and provides the opportunity to invest in infrastructure.”
More Grands Prix in a single country require justification
A glimmer of hope for Imola was left open with the now-famous discussion of ‘rotations’ that could affect certain European races in the near future: “I don’t want to take it for granted that Imola will never return,” Stefano Domenicali said, “because we will have rotation slots, and if Imola can put together a structured proposal, why not? But it is clear that as global interest in F1 grows, having two Grands Prix in the same country requires elements that justify a double presence,” added the current mastermind of F1. It should also be noted that the USA currently hosts three races each season, and in 2026, Spain will have two events on its territory, in Barcelona and Madrid.
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