Italy is taking steps to “resist” the gradual redirection of Formula 1 races away from Europe, with Imola actively negotiating a fresh agreement with the sport’s commercial owner, Liberty Media.
Italy is taking steps to “resist” the gradual redirection of Formula 1 races away from Europe, with Imola actively negotiating a fresh agreement with the sport’s commercial owner, Liberty Media.
During a recent investors’ call, Liberty’s CEO Greg Maffei acknowledged that limiting the season to 24 grands prix amid rising demand has fostered a “great incentive scarcity” due to heightened interest from potential new venues.
“We’ve been able to find attractive pricing and good uplifts,” he remarked, adding, “So, so far so good on promotion.”
After rejoining the F1 roster during the pandemic, the iconic Imola circuit, set to host the upcoming world championship round next weekend, currently holds a contract extending only until 2025.
“There are obviously some discussions to be done with Formula 1,” stated Angelo Sticchi Damiani, head of the Italian automobile club Aci, to the local press.
“The situation is obviously complex, but the first small step forward would be recovering the 2023 race for 2026,” he noted, referencing the cancellation of last year’s Imola race due to flooding.
“Then everything depends a lot on what will happen in Europe in the next two-three years,” Sticchi Damiani continued. “There are changes underway, new candidates, some are at risk.”
“The picture is not just national, it is international and especially European. It’s clear that when they talk about taking away grands prix from Europe, we naturally think of countries that have two of them.”
F1 holds two races in Italy annually, including one at Monza. However, Sticchi Damiani asserts Imola’s commitment to “resist” being omitted from the calendar.
“Stefano Domenicali knows how available we were in the covid tsunami,” he mentioned, highlighting their contribution that helped to “guarantee awarding full points in F1. In times of need, we were there.”
“On the other hand we must try to be competitive both in terms of our offer and our hospitality.”
Emilia-Romagna’s regional president, Stefano Bonaccini, added, “They told us bringing F1 back was impossible. They told us the Tour de France was impossible. They told us the Davis Cup was impossible.”
“Rest assured that the grand prix will remain in Imola,” he affirmed confidently.
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