Despite being dropped from the 2026 schedule, Imola officials remain determined to revive talks and reclaim their spot on the F1 grid.
Formula 1 announced its 2026 season calendar this morning, in which the major absentee is the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, replaced by Madrid. The city of Imola does not hide its disappointment, especially given the widespread enthusiasm surrounding the event, and hopes to return to the calendar soon.
“The provisional Formula 1 Grand Prix calendar for the 2026 season has been announced, from which Imola is excluded,” reads a statement signed by Imola’s mayor, Marco Panieri.
“This is news we were aware of and which understandably raises questions, disappointment and bitterness, because in recent years our region has shown its ability to host an extraordinary event with a record number of participants.”
“The Grand Prix in Imola was one of the most loved and appreciated by fans and drivers alike, as demonstrated in the days following the event. Its unique character was clear: combining racing on the track with the charm of the region, starting from a historic center to explore.”
“However, we want to be very clear: this news does not mark the end of the story. We have always been aware of the complex dynamics involved in the calendar, which has been complicated from the beginning.”
“The contract signed in 2021, considered by many as unachievable at the time, provided for the stable return of the Grand Prix to Imola until 2025. As the Emilia-Romagna region and the municipality of Imola, among the promoters of the initiative, we have done everything within our power.”
“We have repeatedly highlighted the importance and strategic nature of this matter to all the stakeholders involved, demonstrating transparency, clarity and full availability for institutional collaboration.”
The 2023 edition was to be postponed to 2026
In theory, Imola should have been on the 2026 calendar because the 2023 edition was cancelled due to floods that hit the region. The initial contract was valid through 2025, and at the time, organizers were convinced that “the race would take place in 2026 with 99 percent certainty.”
This is what frustrates the promoter, who had already begun preparing for the next edition. Moreover, he recalls having supported Formula 1 unconditionally when it had to urgently reorganize its calendar in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The region, through the Emilia-Romagna Region, the Municipality of Imola and the local consortium Con.Ami, had confirmed its availability for more than a year and allocated the necessary resources for 2026 in the budget, as requested by the other institutional and sporting partners.”
“This followed the commitment to make up for the 2023 edition, cancelled due to the dramatic floods. This region, when it makes a commitment, is used to honoring it and being ready when needed — as in 2020, when, in a world paralyzed by the Covid pandemic, Imola made itself available to support struggling Formula 1.”
The mayor confirms that negotiations will begin immediately to regain a spot on the calendar: “This is not the time for controversy or blame, nor to give up. It is time for everyone to take responsibility and resume discussions for a return to the calendar.”
“This is why, since May 26, we have asked the government and the sports authority to open an institutional table in order to precisely define the terms, methods of support and collaboration to bring the Grand Prix back to Imola. To those who live and love Imola, Emilia-Romagna and this Grand Prix, we say that, at a time when it would be easy to give in to disappointment or controversy—”
“On the contrary, this is a time for perseverance and constructive, increasingly widespread and shared commitment. The game is not over and, so far, we have achieved goals that only a few years ago seemed impossible.”