Formula One’s ever-evolving global calendar looks set to claim another historic victim, with Imola likely to be dropped after 2025 – a decision that leaves four-time Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix winner Max Verstappen disappointed.
Despite his dominance at the Italian circuit, where he secured four consecutive victories, the Dutchman may not get the chance to chase a fifth. There is no contract in place for 2026, and Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali – himself a native of Imola – has conceded that it will be difficult to justify Italy hosting two races when demand is rising globally.
With Monza secured until 2031 as the official Italian Grand Prix, Imola, steeped in history and emotion, appears to be the sacrificial lamb as the sport continues to expand into new territories.
Verstappen, while understanding the commercial and logistical realities, admitted the decision was a blow to his personal connection to the sport.
“Losing these kind of tracks is a shame,” he said after his latest victory at Imola. “Of course, I get it from F1’s side – the new tracks, the growth. But if we’re talking purely about the joy of driving, it’s these kinds of circuits that made me fall in love with racing.”
The Imola circuit, nestled beside the Santerno River and revered for its tight layout and historical resonance, returned to the calendar in 2020 during the pandemic. It had not hosted a race since 2006, but quickly regained popularity with drivers and fans. Yet its infrastructure, limited space, and lower commercial appeal compared to newer venues make it vulnerable.
Formula One’s 2025 calendar is already at its 24-race limit, and Madrid is confirmed to join next year. With recent additions like Las Vegas and Miami, and ongoing interest from Africa, Thailand, China, and potentially Germany, the pressure to rotate or remove venues is intensifying.
Verstappen, whose connection to traditional tracks runs deep, also faces losing other favourites. His home race at Zandvoort is expected to disappear after 2025, while Barcelona – where he claimed his maiden F1 win in 2016 – also faces an uncertain future. Spa-Francorchamps, the iconic Belgian circuit, will miss out in 2028 and 2030 under a new rotational agreement.
“When you started watching Formula One, there were always these few tracks that gave you emotion – the speed, the challenge, the history. It’s sad for me personally, but what can I do?”
As Formula One continues to balance heritage with expansion, circuits like Imola, Spa, and Zandvoort may fall by the wayside – not because they lack charm or challenge, but because they no longer fit the business model of a sport chasing global growth.
