The history of Imola
Iconic circuit prepares to host first F2 race in 35 years
The 2009 FIA Formula Two Championship visits the majestic
Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola for rounds 13 & 14 this
weekend (18-20 September), with a host of drivers hoping to add
their name to a distinguished list of past winners.
Located near the regions of Maranello and Modena, the circuit
first came into existence in post-war Italy, as the town of Imola
launched a program of public works in order to provide jobs that
would boost the local economy. Construction began in 1950, although
it was not until 1954 that the circuit held its first car race.
When Enzo Ferrari's son died of leukaemia in 1956, the track was
renamed in his honour.
Formula One visited the circuit as a non-championship event in
1963, with Jim Clark taking victory in his Lotus 25. F1 returned
again as a non-championship round in 1979, with Niki Lauda taking
the honours in his Brabham-Alfa Romeo.
A year later Imola was welcomed onto the official F1 calendar,
replacing Monza as the venue for the Italian Grand Prix, with
Brazilian Nelson Piquet winning the inaugural race. Monza took over
the title of the Italian GP in 1981, but F1 was keen to continue
racing at Imola and the circuit was given the honour of hosting the
San Marino Grand Prix, which it continued to do until 2006.
One of Imola's highlights came in 1982 when Didier Pironi led
home team-mate Gilles Villeneuve for Ferrari's first and only
1-2 at its local circuit. Tragedy struck F1 only shortly after when
Villeneuve died, but Patrick Tambay returned to take victory at
Imola a year later, dedicating the win to the memory of his
friend.
Formula Two has visited the circuit twice previously, in 1970
and 1972, with legends Clay Regazzoni and Emerson Fittipaldi taking
victory in the respective two races. Other multiple winners include
Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost and Damon Hill, but the honour of most
race wins falls to seven times World Champion Michael Schumacher,
who has won seven times at Imola - including the last F1 race at
the circuit in 2006.
The track has not returned to the F1 calendar since then, but
the circuit still harbours intentions of hosting a Grand Prix again
and the track has consequently undergone major revisions to the pit
lane and garage complex, under the direction of German track
designer Hermann Tilke.
The circuit layout has also changed, most notably at the
sweeping left hander of Tamburello, which has had a chicane
inserted on entry. The Villeneuve, Acque Minerale and Variante
Bassa sections of the circuit have also been modified, but the
venue retains much of its uniqueness which made it such a favourite
for fans in the past.