Despite the historical weight, the circuit delights fans and pilots with its technical layout and quick curves, which continue to make the track a skill test, even after changes to increase safety
It holds it this weekend the seventh stage of the season at the remarkable circuit of Imola, Italy. Current Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, already called San Marino’s GP, the scene of great moments and one of the greatest tragedies of the sport, remains one of the most emblematic races in the category. The death of on May 1, 1994, 31 years ago, in the Tamburello curve, forever marked the history of motorsport, transforming the Enzo and Dino Ferrari race track into a symbol of mourning and memory. A day before Senna’s death on Saturday, Austrian pilot Roland Ratzenberger also died after an accident on the track when the front wing of his car broke the Villeneuve curve. He crashed into the wall to over 300 km/h.
The death was confirmed on the same day. Despite this historical weight, Imola enchants fans and pilots with her technical layout and high -speed curves, who continue to make the track a skill test, even after the changes implemented to increase the safety of the site. Since its return to the calendar in 2020, the circuit alternates between reverence to the past and the excitement with the present. With each edition, honors Senna repeat themselves, reaffirming the emotional bond of Formula 1 with Imola, a place where speed and emotion walk side by side with memory and respect.
Reforms, calendar output and circuit return
After the tragedies with Senna and Ratzenberger, the Imola circuit underwent a security transformation. Tamburello and Villeneuve curves, places of fatal accidents, were reformulated with speed reduction, new escape areas and protective barriers. From 1995, the track received several structural improvements and underwent intense safety inspections of the International Automobile Federation (FIA). Other changes have also motivated technical advances in Formula 1, such as the reinforcement of the cockpits, and the creation of Hans and Halo devices, head and neck protection systems of pilots.
However, despite investments and improvements in Imola, the circuit left the Formula 1 calendar after 2006, when it won its contract with the category. Its return occurred only in 2020, during the already modernized covid-19 pandemic and under the name of GP of Emilia-Romagna, retiring the name GP of San Marino, as it was known from 1981 to 2006. The resumption was awaited by many lovers of speed and considered successful by the category, ensuring constant presence in the following years, except 2023, when the stage was canceled by the case of floods.
Senna Memorial was vandalized
In December 2024, the Ayrton Senna Memorial in Imola was the target of vandalism on two occasions, on the 19th and 25th. The place, which is constantly visited by people from all over the world, had flags and objects left by burned and destroyed fans, although the rider’s statue was not damaged during the attacks. The local City Hall condemned the acts. In April 2025, the statue was restored by artists Alessandro Rasponi and Mauro Bandini in preparation for the tribute to the thirty -first anniversary of Senna’s death on May 1, 1994.
Imola track is one of the fastest
The Imola track is considered one of the fastest today. Based on the average velocity of Pole Position last lap in dry weather in the 24 Formula 1 calendar circuits, the track occupies the ninth position, with an average of 236,433 km/h. The owner of the fastest lap is the British, with a time of 1min15s484, recorded in 2020, while still defending. Curve 1 of Imola, Tamburello, is the fastest of the Grand Prix, with 285 km/h. It was precisely in this curve that Ayrton Senna suffered the fatal accident.
Bortoleto and others have a circuit as a favorite
In an exclusive interview with Estadão earlier this year, the pilot, the only Brazilian of the category, revealed that the Imola track is his favorite. The novice of the Sauber team was champion of Formula 3 and Formula 2, and has competed in the circuit in other categories. By 2020, several riders approved Imola’s return to the F-1 calendar, including and Fernando Alonso. Verstappen won the 2021, 2022 and 2024 races. Hamilton also triumphed in 2020 in the first race after the return, and praised the track layout.
*With information from Estadão Content
Posted by Fernando Dias
