Max Verstappen, who won for the fourth time at the Enzo and Dino Ferrari circuit, was the first to say that Imola must remain on the F1 calendar. Until October, all eyes will be on what happens in Madrid: the Spanish race is facing permit issues for the construction of the circuit and a powerful anti-noise committee is politically fighting the urban GP in the Spanish capital. Therefore, the first edition might be delayed, even though there is a valid contract with Formula 1 Group.
2026: Imola as Madrid’s Backup?
Imola could benefit as the first reserve: the Romagna race would be the ideal substitute, potentially reclaiming the 2023 edition that was canceled due to the devastating floods that struck Emilia-Romagna. Thus, Imola could remain on the calendar next year, maintaining its legacy.
€5 Million from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport
Meanwhile, some continue to work tirelessly to secure a future for the Made in Italy and Emilia-Romagna GP. And good news has arrived: the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, under the Infrastructure Decree Law approved yesterday by the Council of Ministers, has allocated €5.25 million for 2025 and €5 million per year from 2026 to 2032 for the ACI to organize the GPs held at Imola and Monza.
“The government recognizes the extraordinary importance of the Monza and Imola GPs not only as world-class sporting events but also as key economic drivers and international showcases for Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna,” said a satisfied Matteo Salvini.
The Emilia-Romagna Region Requests an Institutional Roundtable
“We welcome the initial release of funds from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport with satisfaction,” stated Michele de Pascale, President of Emilia-Romagna, and Marco Panieri, Mayor of Imola. “It’s a significant step, a starting point for a shared journey aimed at renewing the Imola Grand Prix. But we know we must reach substantial figures and present a strong, multi-year proposal. To do this, the effort of all stakeholders is needed. That’s why we firmly request the opening of an Institutional Roundtable to define and assess the government’s overall commitment on this matter.”
Formula 1 Group Demands €60 Million for a GP
So, the key issue is money. The budget requested by F1 is steep: around €60 million, double the previous values. Tullio Del Sette, the commissioner overseeing the ACI, is facing a hot issue, but the general, who was very active over the GP weekend, is exploring every opportunity to continue a story that attracted 242,000 people to Imola over the weekend.
If we tally the numbers, it’s easy to add the €5 million from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, the same amount from ICE (the Agency for the Promotion and Internationalization of Italian Companies), and the Made in Italy contribution. Adding €5 million from the Region and €2 million from the Municipality of Imola, the total reaches €22 million. This amount, however, falls short of covering the fee required by F1 for a long-term contract renewal. The solution might lie in including Imola among historic tracks rotating with others like Spa-Francorchamps and Barcelona.
€18 Million Net from Ticket Sales!
Stefano Domenicali’s demand might drop to €40 million—a still very high but more negotiable figure if all involved parties contribute. Let’s not forget the €21 million in ticket sales revenue, leaving a net €18 million for the organizer, ACI. The attendance record represents the circuit’s maximum spectator capacity, so increasing it is not feasible, and raising ticket prices could push them out of the market.
So, a break-even scenario could seem possible, but the financial report doesn’t account for Formula Imola’s costs of organizing the GP: this year’s total reached €9.1 million, and next year’s event is expected to cost around €10 million.
Organizing the Race Costs Nearly €10 Million
Covering these deficits falls to ACI, which represents the national ASN to the FIA and manages both Italian races. A €10 million shortfall, despite everything being managed perfectly, is a serious deficit, prompting the search for new partners to help secure the renewal and potentially resolve the awkwardness of having two GPs in Italy.
Return of the San Marino GP Name?
The meeting between FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and Paolo Valli, President of the San Marino Motor Sports Federation, in the FIA hospitality area on the eve of the race was no coincidence. “It was a very positive conversation,” Valli admitted, “because we discussed the possibility—always intriguing for us—of bringing back the San Marino GP, a scenario the FIA President did not rule out. The matter will be discussed further with the relevant parties, with Liberty Media, led by Stefano Domenicali, being the key player.”
A Dive into the Past to Build the Future?
Leave a Reply