F1 News: F1’s race rotation scheme should save Imola – Brown (Update)

(GMM) Another sign that Imola has already hosted its final Formula 1 race for now has emerged.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali – an Imola native – admitted recently that with the annual calendar capped at 24 grands prix for now, it will be “difficult” for Imola to continue to co-exist on a calendar that also features Monza.

McLaren CEO Zak Brown thinks a solution could be for Imola to share a single rotational spot on the calendar with another European circuit – a solution already in place for the future for Spa-Francorchamps.

“I’d advocate for the elegant rotation solution here as well,” Brown said at Imola last weekend. “Even if that’s certainly easier said than done.”

Domenicali told the New York Times it’s a possibility.

“We want to keep two or three rotational slots, no more,” he said. “But that’s the only way to look to attract or be attractive to other places.”

As for 2026, however, it appears like all hope is basically already lost for Imola. La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Italy’s automobile club Aci has just allocated 5 million euros per year for Monza between 2026 and 2032.

As for Imola, the only allocated funding is 5.25 million euros – for the 2025 edition that has already been raced and won by Max Verstappen.

“Losing these kinds of tracks is a shame,” the Dutchman said after winning on Sunday. “I get it from F1’s side of things, of course – the new tracks that we are going to. You have to see it from a sporting side and a financial side.

“For me, personally, when I just speak about the enjoyment of driving, it’s this kind of track that made me fall in love with racing in general. There were always these few tracks where you just look at the speeds, look at how difficult they are to master, the history of the sport at certain tracks.

“It’s all very special and gives you a bit more emotion. It’s definitely a shame for me personally, but what can I do about it?” Verstappen added.

(GMM) Formula 1’s new idea to annually alternate some European races could save the iconic Imola circuit from the axe.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, who was actually born near the fabled Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit in Italy, recently admitted it will be “difficult” for Imola to survive on a bustling calendar that also features Monza.

Imola polesitter and championship leader Oscar Piastri, however, warns Formula 1 to be “careful” in axing some of the best circuits.

“We need to be careful not to lose all the historical tracks that have been here forever because at least 75 percent of them are the favorites for the drivers,” said the Australian.

“Here (Imola) is probably going to disappear, Zandvoort is disappearing, Spa is on a rotation. We do need to be careful to keep all these tracks.”

Quadruple world champion Max Verstappen agrees, pointing out that with today’s cars that are “too big, too stiff, too heavy,” street circuits are “dull“.

“On tracks like this, it is a lot of fun,” the Dutchman added. “So many fast corners, and the limit is the gravel or the grass. That makes it more exciting and more difficult to nail.”

McLaren CEO Zak Brown thinks it is “luxury problem” for Formula 1 to have more countries and circuits vying for a spot on the calendar than it is able to accommodate.

“More than 24 isn’t possible for logistical reasons,” he told Bild newspaper. “I would like to see a majority of the races have a fixed spot on the calendar.

“To achieve this, some tracks should rotate, hosting a grand prix only every other year. We’re well positioned in Europe, and the same goes for America. India, Korea, and South Africa come to mind as possible hosts.

“There could also be a second race in China, and I see great growth potential in the Asia-Pacific region.”

Alongside Imola, Brown thinks another circuit with potential to be hosted annually is Hockenheim, which would revive the German GP after a conspicuous absence.

“Germany is a huge market,” said the American, “with Mercedes and Audi. Perhaps it would be a good idea to hold a grand prix there every two years.”

As for Imola, Brown agrees that it would be sad to see the Italian circuit go.

“I love Imola,” said the McLaren CEO, “but I also love Monza. If one of them really has to be removed from the calendar, then I’d advocate for the elegant rotation solution here as well. Even if that’s certainly easier said than done.”