A track guide for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix is essential reading as Formula 1 returns to Imola and Europe for to start the second quarter of the season.
One of the historic gems of the calendar, Imola could be hosting its final race in the 2025 weekend with no contract on the table for next term as yet. Officially known as the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, this historic track delivers old-school racing in a stunning Italian setting — and continues to attract huge fanfare, especially from Ferrari supporters.
Based 25 miles east of Bologna in the Emilia-Romagna region, Imola is a 3.050-mile anti-clockwise circuit that includes 19 corners and a demanding mix of sweeping bends and heavy braking zones. While the name ‘Emilia Romagna GP’ was only introduced in 2020 due to calendar changes, Imola’s F1 roots stretch back to 1980 when it first hosted the Italian Grand Prix before becoming the long-term home of the San Marino Grand Prix.
A circuit full of history, for both good and bad reasons, who will come out on top at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari?
Emilia Romagna Grand Prix track guide
The first corner of the lap doesn’t really exist at Imola as the main straight bends to the left before the first turn of significance arrives. A challenge for drivers, Tamburello – which was once a sweeping left-hander – sees cars flick to the left, then right and back to the left. Gravel awaits any mistakes on entry.
Another chicane next up at Villeneuve, with the brakes only coming in after the first left flick ready for the right. A short burst to Turn 7, Tosa, presents an overtaking opportunity if drivers can follow closely enough through the first sector.
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Turn 8 is another unnoticeable kink in a straight as cars rise to a crest ready for Turns 9 and 10, Piratella, where drivers are unsighted on entry before the track dips back downhill on exit. That gets cars ready for the next test, the double right of Acque Minerali in the dip between hills.
Back uphill now and a burst on the throttle to the highest point on the track, the Variante Alta. Technical and tight yet pretty high speed, plenty of drivers have found themselves in the barriers on exit here down the years.
Turn 16 is yet another non-entity that takes drivers downhill towards the final two corners of note at Rivazza where gravel again awaits any errors. Traction is key as where a final chicane once lay is now a straight, albeit with Turn 19 officially labelled as a right kink as cars cross the line.
Imola Circuit layout: Corner by corner
- Turn 1 – A light left-hand kink at the end of the straight, taken flat and barely noticeable.
- Turn 2 – Entry to Variante Tamburello, a fast left requiring a clean line to set up the sequence.
- Turn 3 – A sharp right in the Tamburello complex, where braking and balance are tested.
- Turn 4 – Exit of Tamburello, with full throttle needed and a good launch onto the next straight.
- Turn 5 – Variante Villeneuve begins with a fast left kink, taken flat-out.
- Turn 6 – A tight right-hander where drivers brake hard and aim for a clean exit.
- Turn 7 – Tosa hairpin, the best overtaking spot on the track and key to good traction uphill.
- Turn 8 – A flat-out right kink taken at speed as cars accelerate toward Piratella.
- Turn 9 – Piratella, a brave downhill left that tests grip and precision on corner exit.
- Turn 10 – Continuation of Piratella with subtle correction before braking into Acque Minerali.
- Turn 11 – First right at Acque Minerali, taken fast with a lift before hard braking.
- Turn 12 – A slower right with aggressive kerbs and minimal runoff, easy to lock up here.
- Turn 13 – A fast left kink to finish Acque Minerali, using exit kerb to power away.
- Turn 14 – Variante Alta chicane entry, with heavy braking into a tight right.
- Turn 15 – Quick flick left to complete the chicane, exiting over the kerbs.
- Turn 16 – A flat right kink, just setting the car up for the final braking zone.
- Turn 17 – Rivazza 1, a downhill left requiring full commitment on the brakes.
- Turn 18 – Rivazza 2, where a clean exit is crucial for lap time down the main straight.
- Turn 19 – The final right-hand kink before the line, taken flat at full throttle.
Emilia Romagna Grand Prix 2025 directions: How to get to Imola
The nearest international airport to Imola is Bologna. Car travel is easy given Italy’s infrastructure, with the circuit within 10 miles of the A14. There is an Imola exit from the highway, with signage all the way to the circuit from there.
Imola’s main train station sits within walking distance of the circuit.
Emilia Romagna Grand Prix: Imola F1 records
With such a storied history in F1, it is perhaps fitting that the records for most wins by driver and team both fall to legendary names in the championship.
But one driver has won on the past three occasions [2023’s edition was cancelled due to localised flooding], with all but one of the last 10 victories at the venue being taken by a world champion.
Emilia Romagna Grand Prix: Drivers with most wins at Imola
- Michael Schumacher – 7 wins (1994, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006)
- Max Verstappen – 3 wins (2021, 2022, 2024)
- Ayrton Senna – 3 wins (1988, 1989, 1991)
- Alain Prost – 3 wins (1984, 1986, 1993)
- Nigel Mansell – 2 wins (1987, 1992)
- Damon Hill – 2 wins (1995, 1996)
Emilia Romagna Grand Prix: Teams with most wins at Imola
- Ferrari, 8 wins (1982, 1983, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006)
- Williams, 8 wins (1987, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2001)
- McLaren, 6 wins (1984, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1998)
Emilia Romagna Grand Prix: Last 10 winners at Imola
- 2024 – Max Verstappen, Red Bull
- 2022 – Max Verstappen, Red Bull
- 2021 – Max Verstappen, Red Bull
- 2020 – Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
- 2006 – Michael Schumacher, Ferrari
- 2005 – Fernando Alonso, Renault
- 2004 – Michael Schumacher, Ferrari
- 2003 – Michael Schumacher, Ferrari
- 2002 – Michael Schumacher, Ferrari
- 2001 – Ralf Schumacher, Williams
Emilia Romagna Grand Prix fastest lap
With the new configuration used since Imola’s return to the F1 calendar in 2020, Lewis Hamilton holds the current layout’s fastest race lap with a 1:15.484s en route to victory with Mercedes.
Then-Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas holds the outright best lap having set a 1:13.609s during his run to pole.
