Formula 1 has outgrown Imola

The Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, born the “Autodromo di Imola,” first hosted a race for cars in 1953. Before that, it had been used exclusively for motorcycle racing. This fact will not have been lost on the Formula 1 drivers who started the race on Sunday. In ’53, Ascari’s Ferrari 500 had a rear track width of 1,245 mm (49 inches); Carlos Sainz’s current SF-24 is 2,000 mm (78.75 inches) wide across the hips. Has Formula 1, quite literally, outgrown one of the most famous circuits of them all?

Max Verstappen was gushing in his praise for Imola in the build- up to qualifying, declaring, “Honestly, it’s just a fantastic track. I wish we had 24 of those on the calendar.” I believe the sincerity of these statements he makes in support of the old-skool tracks—Max is, above all else, a true racer. Suzuka and Spa are often equally lauded, Silverstone less so. But then, a 50-G slammer into the tyres at Copse can probably dampen one’s enthusiasm for a place. (As can a partisan crowd.) 

Less easy to believe, perhaps until this weekend, were the usual Max woes leading into the weekend. Red Bull’s ability to convert something supposedly “undriveable” on Friday into a car capable of taking pole a day later is, for the non-cynical among us, quite remarkable. Ferrari showed exceptional pace in the first two practice sessions, while McLaren proved that Miami wasn’t a fluke for McLaren, with Piastri benefitting from all the upgraded parts. 

(Not to get sidetracked, but: It’s a continuing point of fascination for me that the teams can often only build one of something, and not two. Do they want different configurations so one car acts as a control for the new bits? Is it a way of subtly reminding the drivers of the hierarchy within the team? Or is it a punishment for something we know nothing about? Did Oscar forget to flush at the McLaren Tech Center? We may never know.)

The lead-up to Imola was marked by a poignant remembrance, with this year’s race being the 30 year anniversary of Senna’s passing. A respectful parade of current F1 drivers was convened, all wearing yellow Senna T-shirts. Well, all except Bottas and Verstappen. It wasn’t a good look, especially for the Red Bull driver. Apparently their T-shirts had been stolen—a ruse that was debunked pretty quickly.