Formula Made in Italy: the Imola Grand Prix between tradition and future

From 16 to 18 May, the seventh Formula 1 Grand Prix of the season will take place at Imola. Heir to the old San Marino GP, it represents a meeting point for the Italian business world that revolves around motorsport

15 May 2025

Gran Premio GP dell' Emilia Romagna. (IPP)

6' min read

After being dropped from the calendar in 2006, the Imola GP has been reborn from the ashes of a 2020 Formula 1 season decimated by the Covid-19 and Eurocentric by logistical necessity. The decision to race in the Italian Motor Valley, the nerve centre of Formula 1's very history, had been a sign that the richest Circus in the world (2024 revenue of $3.4 billion) needs to remain anchored to its past roots in order to maintain its appeal, as well as launching itself towards the disruptive future of cities such as Miami, Singapore and Las Vegas. However, having overcome the pandemic crisis, Imola is struggling to gain a place on the calendar and after Monza's renewal until 2031, no positive rumours have emerged about renewal beyond the current edition.

Is there a future for historic Grand Prix?

Formula One is going through a period of growth, with strong penetration in the younger population and in countries that are emerging or that were not previously attracted to this racing format, such as the United States. The growth of interest on American soil was supported by Liberty Media with the introduction of two more US races (Miami and Las Vegas) in the annual programme, in addition to the more traditional Austin race at Circuits of the Americas (COTA). The two new cities chosen meet the objectives of an American company that wants to turn a sporting competition linked to the development of technique and the courage of drivers into glamorous events, and is doing so successfully. Events in which the starts are watched with a glass of champagne in hand, or not even watched at all, floating blissfully in a pool inside the circuit (see the last Miami Grand Prix, to be precise).

It is normal that a sport in which almost only luxury car manufacturers compete should end up attracting an elitist public. Italy, however, has always stood apart from this trend, with a passion for Formula 1 - and especially Ferrari - that transcends social fences. A great example of this are the TV share numbers from the years of Michael Schumacher's great successes, with an incredible 72.8% share for the Monza Grand Prix in 2000, won by the German driver himself. These numbers have decreased over time, due to the sporting difficulties of the Prancing Horse, but above all to the purchase of rights by Pay TV, which offer a very high quality product but demand a price that limits the popularity of the Formula 1 product.

Although passion for Formula 1 in Italy seems to be ignited by the likelihood of Ferrari's success, there is no denying the strong Italian component in the DNA of the world's premier motorsport competition. Here are a few examples of the importance of Italian companies in the technological development of Formula 1, to underline how the Italian passion for motorsport is to be valued and the presence of two Italian grands prix in a global championship is not an incongruity, but a testimony to the contribution our country has towards this sport.

Italian companies in Formula 1

First of all, two of the ten teams are Italian: Scuderia Ferrari and Racing Bulls F1 Team (formerly Minardi, based in Faenza). Then, as is well known, the sole tyre supplier since 2011 is the Milan-based Pirelli, with a contract until at least 2027. Among the most important partner companies, Brembo certainly stands out. The Bergamo-based company designs and produces hydraulic equipment (calipers, pumps and by-wire units) and friction components (carbon discs and pads) for most of the single-seaters and supplies the braking systems to all the teams in the Circus. Of the ten Formula 1 teams, six rely on specialised Italian companies (Alpinestars, OMP and Sparco) for the fireproof and ultra-light suits of drivers and mechanics.

Numerous other Italian companies are involved in other technological aspects of Grand Prix racing: from Dromo of Emilia, which designs the circuits themselves, to DZ Engineering of Forlì, which takes care of the lighting systems of the circuits where night races are held, and the Racing Force Group, global leader in safety equipment for motorsport with its brands OMP, Bell Racing, Zeronoise and Racing Spirit. Bell Racing maintains the leadership in helmets with 14 out of 20 drivers (70%) equipped with the HP77 model, including Hamilton, Norris and Piastri. The helmets are prepared for the Driver's Eye, a micro-camera developed by Zeronoise that from 2021 will offer spectators an immersive view from the driver's perspective.

Not forgetting the Parma-based Dallara, which designs the now essential simulators and wind tunnels, alternative environments to the track for developing technology according to the principles of economy and sustainability. The excellence of the Varano de' Melegari-based manufacturer has made Dallara the sole supplier of cars for the IndyCar, IndyNXT, Formula 2, Formula 3, EuroFormula, Formula E and Super Formula championships.

Precisely for these reasons, next weekend at Imola, in the Land of Motors, also known as Motor Valley, one of Italy's excellences will be celebrated, and the name 'Gran Premio del Made in Italy e dell'Emilia-Romagna' seems to want to appropriately underline this. The values of sport and technological development seem a bit blurred, hidden by the glamour revolution that is transforming Formula 1 into a show that follows the rules of the entertainment industry. Nevertheless, the excitement of the traffic lights going off, the feverish anxiety of the pit stops or the lottery of a safety car are elements on which rests not only the feeling of familiarity of a Sunday afternoon in front of the television, but also the perception that, where culture, competition and technological innovation are mixed, Italians can still be proud. Beyond a Ferrari success.

The McLaren domination and tensions at Ferrari continue in Miami

The first American stage of the season, run in Sprint format, again saw McLaren triumph, with Oscar Piastri taking his fourth win of the season and Lando Norris in second. The British driver, favourite at the start of the season, is passing the sceptre to his fellow Australian class of 2001. Piastri is not running away in the drivers' standings (+16 over his partner), but after three consecutive victories he is giving the feeling that he has become the silent leader of the Papaya stable.

Among the surprises of the Grand Prix is Kimi Antonelli. The young Italian talent amazed in Sprint qualifying with a perfect lap that earned him pole position. For the best rookie on the grid this is a historic result, considering that the last Italian on pole went back to 2009 with Giancarlo Fisichella at Spa. In qualifying for Sunday's Grand Prix Antonelli also came out on top, taking third place. However, the potential of the starting grid is not fully realised in the race: he closes the Sprint in seventh position and the race in sixth. Nevertheless, it was a positive weekend for Mercedes, which saw George Russell climb onto the podium for the fourth time in six races, already equalling the number of podiums obtained last season by the English driver. A clear sign of the team's growth.

Quite a different situation at Ferrari, which continues to disappoint the fans' expectations. Leclerc and Hamilton finish seventh and eighth respectively at the end of a race marked by poor performance and internal tensions. Frustration was particularly felt on Hamilton's side due to the strategic hesitations of the race wall ("You want me to sit here for the whole race?" translated: "you want me to sit here [to wait] the whole race?").

The two Ferrari drivers found themselves fighting for nothing (Antonelli's sixth position) and between overtaking and counter-overtaking orders they failed to hit the target. A complex situation that is condensed into Sir Lewis' outburst 'Have a tea break while you're at it, come on': Ferrari (and Hamilton himself) need a shake-up, and soon.

LA CLASSIFICA

At Imola Colapinto returns and Briatore as team principal

Changes in Formula 1 are indeed frequent, but Alpine perhaps exaggerates. The Renault group team has been in a technical crisis for many grands prix and the succession of team principal changes seems senseless. Since 2022 they have alternated in order: Marcin Budkowski, Otmar Szafnauer, Bruno Famin and Oliver Oakes. The resignation of the latter makes de facto Flavio Briatore the new Team Principal of the Enston-based stable.

Briatore's arrival in the role of super consultant in May 2024 does not seem to have lifted Alpine's fortunes much. From the positive, even somewhat fortunate, ending of 2024, the beginning of 2025 sees a meagre ranking and an alternation not only on the managerial side but also on the driver side. Alpine has in fact made it official that Jack Doohan will be replaced by Franco Colapinto for the next five Grands Prix, a decision that came just hours after the change at the top.

Doohan, making his Formula 1 debut, failed to meet the team's expectations, struggling to keep up with teammate Pierre Gasly and finishing the first six races without scoring points. However, he will remain an integral part of the Alpine project in the role of reserve driver and a return as a starter is possible. Meanwhile, in his place comes Argentinean Franco Colapinto, born in 2003, who made a name for himself last season with Williams, replacing Logan Sargeant. In those nine races, Colapinto showed great potential, winning precious points and attracting the attention of the paddock and many South American sponsors.