As more countries seek to host races, F1 CEO, Stefano Domenicali admits his fears for the future of his home track Imola.

Born and bred in Imola, as a youngster Domenicali's first steps on the motorsport ladder were his work experience at the iconic Emilia Romagna track.

However, with more and more countries seeking to join the schedule, and having the necessary funding to do so, the squeeze is on, particularly for European circuits.

Other than money there is also the sport's need for tracks located in or near 'destination cities'.

Most likely to be impacted as the sport seeks to expand globally are the European events, and it is already proposed that some of the current venues host races on a rotational basis.

Italy currently hosts two races, and it is widely felt that this is enough, even though the country has far more of a connection with the sport than the United States, which currently hosts three races.

Monza has hosted but one round of the world championship since its inception, while Imola came late to the party, hosting the Italian Grand Prix in 1980 and then the San Marino Grand Prix from 1981 until 2006.

F1 returned during the pandemic, when the sport was only too glad to call on the services of its European heartland, and though it has since hosted the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix its contract runs out this year, while Monza's runs until 2031.

Domenicali realises that a difficult decision is looming.

"Italy has always been and will be an important part of Formula 1," he tells Italian broadcaster RAI. "But it will be increasingly difficult to have two races in the same country because interest in F1 is growing and it's a situation we will have to deal with in the coming months.

"It's hard for this situation with Imola and Monza to continue together on the calendar for long," he adds, ignoring the irony of the fact that the US, which struggles to pull in a million viewers for events, hosts three races.

"From a human point of view it will not be easy," he admits, "but I have to exercise an international role that puts me in front of many requests around the world from emerging countries that can allow F1 to grow.

"I do not forget that Imola responded at a time of great difficulty, that of Covid," he recalls. "When there was a need to find new places, they responded immediately with the enthusiasm and ability of an entire city."

Then again, so did Istanbul, Mugello, Portimao and the Nurburgring, and where did it get them.

Despite his sadness at losing his home race, as F1 CEO Domenicali will readily welcome anyone who has the requisite cash, for in today's world history and passion are merely buzz words.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Spindoctor, 18/04/2025 11:22

"@Max Noble - you are of course right! A neat summation :-)"

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2. Posted by BrightonCorgi, 17/04/2025 15:44

"How about F1 grow a set of balls and say no to other countries who want a race? "

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3. Posted by Geeza1966, 17/04/2025 11:04

"Yeah kenji, I get you mate... I fell in love with it in a 20 second period when I ran from the turnstile on the fringes of the Hanger Straight, across the grass, up the bank and up to the guardrail at Silverstone back in 1987 to be welcomed by Piquet's Williams Honda and Sennas Lotus Honda barreling down toward Stowe. I looked on in awe... And just gave a gutteral "Fuuuuuuuu..... And before the "kin ell" bit left my vocal chords, they were round Stowe and on their merry way down towards Club Corner..... From that moment, on that very day, I was hooked. "

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4. Posted by kenji, 17/04/2025 9:00

"@Max Noble...'You can't always get what you want
but if you try sometimes, you just might find
you get what you need'.

I appreciate tracks that are green and easy on the eye and are complex enough to test the drivers to the very limits. Yes, there are some tracks that lack any 'soul' but even those at times can produce the magic mix, a real race with no holds barred! At the very end of the day my needs are usually met with some reservations but it is F1, and that's my lifelong bag.

'You cant always get what you want'."

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5. Posted by ffracer, 17/04/2025 8:20

"Stefano Domenicali likes to stir it to get a reaction, start the social media with a subject and then say that the consensus wants it so we at Liberty and the FIA need to work together to make this happen.... ie: Las Vegas, bringing back V10s and now Imola to name a few."

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6. Posted by Chester, 16/04/2025 20:18

"Losing Imola to a car park is a travesty. No doubt. But the racing action at Monaco 2024 and Suzuka 2025, both old-line, real tracks, was NON EXISTENT.

I will repeat something I've said before, all of the Las Vegas races so far have been better than the previously mentioned turd races."

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7. Posted by Max Noble, 16/04/2025 13:26

"@spindoctor, @kenji - I think we are all in violent agreement… we want great impassioned racing which is sport, and human. Not a sustainable cashflow positive business investment… Stefano has sold out… and here we are. Mario Karts on my Nintendo 64 (with oil slicks and bananas) had more integrity… Sigh… "

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8. Posted by Spindoctor, 16/04/2025 13:14

"@kenji
I admire your consistency on this point, but all those 'how, when & where' factors impinge on the potential for 'exciting racing on a challenging circuit'.

The threat to Imola exemplifies how connected the two strands are. If Imola is deleted & another cobbled-together 'street'\car park circuit substituted, Liberty will expect to make more money. Unfortunately such a move is unlikely to meet your stated 'sporting' requirements.
As per my previous post Liberty & its partners (including, no doubt some teams) have little interest in F1 except as an 'asset' to be used to generate large profits, 'exciting racing on a challenging circuit' isn't even a consideration for them."

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9. Posted by kenji, 16/04/2025 12:39

"The recurring themes. I am definitely in a minority here but my basic needs are 'exciting racing on a challenging circuit'. The where, the how etc etc is all secondary to me. Yes, times past were sometimes great and sometimes not! Politics should be relegated to another venue. "

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10. Posted by Spindoctor, 16/04/2025 11:24

"@Max Noble
I'd guess that Liberty will tie F1 & MotoGP together & extract lots of cash while loading up the corporate debt. Before the bubble bursts, I expect they'll do the classic Vulture Capital gambit & get shot of the businesses to some starry-eyed investment\pension fund, leaving them to sort-out the mess."

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11. Posted by Wokingchap, 16/04/2025 11:21

"Thoroughly sickening!"

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12. Posted by Geeza1966, 16/04/2025 10:35

"Couldn't agree more... Looking at the big picture here, do you remember when the calendar was 16 races, predominantly in Europe which is where the bulk of the money/investment/sponsorship used to come from etc?? Now its the Eastern nations Saudi oil money coupled with the American "nouveau riche" in society that have no real history or standing in F1... Only now due to their wealth and influence of social media etc... Sure, Australia, Japan, Brazil, have always been there, but like the car manufacturers, the new countries will come and go as and when it suits them etc. I am all for the sport being Global, as it is in its own right, but we must have some long term sustainability with commitment from all the nations that are "desperate" to host a race. F1 can ill afford to lose jewels like Imola, Monza, Monaco, Silverstone, Suzuka, Spa, Canada, Melbourne etc.... These are the classics that have formed our championship over decades... Not the quick fix "In & Out" venues... So sorry to appear so opinionated here, but I really feet that F1 is in danger of becoming just a constant supply of dull as dishwater races with no fans in the grandstands at venues handpicked by the sport and handed out to the highest bidder. No, No, No...... Sorry for my rant..."

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13. Posted by Max Noble, 16/04/2025 9:18

"Sorry; postscript! - And he conveniently fails to highlight he is a key decision maker in who gets to host races! He could simply demand two races remain in Italy. Must have slipped his mind…
"

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14. Posted by Max Noble, 16/04/2025 9:16

"Yup - he has sold out. America that “Bastion of Formula One” has three races per season for the two-dozen fans there. While Italy home to Ferrari, and of huge historic significance to motor racing in general (Targa… Millie… etc.etc.). “I’ve got to be international” - right. Translates as “Liberty media wants money, money, MONEY…!!!!!”

At some point the DTS newbies are going to chase the next shiny bouncing ball and Liberty/FIA are going to be left with nothing…
"

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Domenicali fears for future of F1 at Imola

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