Autodromo

Autodromo

The history of the Imola Racetrack

In the heart of the Motor Valley, where the passion for motors runs deep in the Emilian land, stands the Autodromo Enzo and Dino Ferrari of Imola, a global icon of motor racing. It was born from the dream of a group of pioneers from Romagna after the war, and the track officially took shape in 1950 along the right bank of the Santerno River and at the foot of the Imola hills.

Opened in 1953, it has seen some of the most memorable pages of motorsport history written, becoming over time one of the most technical and fascinating circuits on the international scene.

Discover the story

1950s/60s

1953
In 1950 the foundation stone of the Autodromo was laid and in 1953 the official inauguration took place with a motorcycle event, the Gran Premio CONI, valid for the Italian Championship 125 and 500 classes.
1954
On June 20, with the “Shell Golden Shell” reserved for Sport cars, the era of great motor racing began on the Imola racetrack, with a super challenge between Ferrari and Maserati. Also ranked were two future protagonists of world motoring history: Englishman Colin Chapman and Australian Jack Brabham.
1963
Seven years later, motor racing returns to the Autodromo: On April 21, F1, with a non-titled race, takes to the track for the first time at Imola. On the day of Jim Clark's triumph with the legendary Lotus 25, the absence of Ferrari stands out, after it had been promised the presence of the Rossa with John Surtees. At the end of the day, all the drivers had words of appreciation for the circuit.
1965
Grandstands and pits are built, the completion of which took place the following year. On January 23, 1965, Enzo Ferrari, coming to the autodrome for an awards ceremony, declared, "The Imola Autodrome, because of its characteristics, consisting of difficulties for cars and drivers, is the most interesting circuit in Italy. It could be of valuable help in solving the problems of car manufacturers dedicated to the preparation of racing cars."
1969
The MotoGP, with the GP of Nations, lands, on September 7, for the first time in Imola. Of note is the absence at the start of the most glory-laden Italian manufacturer, MV Agusta, and the victory of Britain's Phil Read on Yamaha in the 250 and 350 classes.
1953
1954
1963
1965
1969

1970s

1970
On September 8, 1970, the old name CONI gave way to that of Autodromo Dino Ferrari, in memory of the Drake's eldest son who died prematurely fourteen years earlier. Two years later, major works were carried out in the finish area, with the construction of the Variante Bassa (Low Variant) to slow down the runs in the pit straight. Another, the Variante Alta, was created at the same time to break up the section that went downhill to the Rivazza curves.
1972 / 1974
The Autodrome begins to enter the calendars of many motorsport championships. Beginning with a great idea of Checco Costa, who invented the Daytona D'Europa, that is, the race corresponding to the mythical American 200 Miglia; and the 500 km of Imola, a round valid for the World Sport Prototypes Championship.
1979
The construction of the access roads around the track made the circuit permanent. Until then, some short sections of the track were used as ordinary roads. On September 19 of that same year, the new era of F1 began at Imola with the Dino Ferrari GP, a non-titled race.
1970
1972 / 1974
1979

1980s

1980
On September 14, the racetrack hosted the first Formula 1 race valid for the world title, the 51st Italian Grand Prix, won by Nelson Piquet in a Brabham. From the following year until 2006, the title became that of the San Marino Grand Prix.
1985
The old race direction tower, known as the Renault tower, is torn down and replaced by a new building, designed by architect Glauco Gresleri and engineer Riccardo Morando: the new Marlboro Tower, a symbol of the Autodrome for several years.
1988
Following the passing of Enzo Ferrari on August 14 of that year, his son Dino's name was joined by that of the Drake in the titling of the facility.
1980
1985
1988

1990s

1994
Imola is unfortunately the scene of one of the most dramatic weekends in Formula 1: on Saturday Austrian Roland Ratzenberger loses his life, with his Simtek losing the front wing and crashing at Villeneuve; on Sunday, instead, the great Brazilian champion Ayrton Senna is a victim, crashing his Williams, due to a broken steering column, at Tamburello.
1995
Following the accidents that cost Ratzenberger and Senna their lives, major changes were made to the layout of the track: the Tamburello curve was replaced by a slower chicane; the Villenueve curve was slowed by a variant; work was also done at Acque Minerali, Rivazza and the Variante Bassa.
1996
After the glories of the 200 Miglia, after an eight-year hiatus, the World Motorcycle Racing Championship makes another stop at the Autodrome with the City of Imola Grand Prix. It will remain there for four years, until 1989.
1994
1995
1996

2000s

2001 - 2002
Motorcycles return to Imola, with the most spectacular and fascinating Superbike World Championship. The following year the SBK title is awarded at Imola, the last round of the World Championship. In front of nearly 100,000 spectators, Colin Edwards beats Troy Bayliss at the end of a spectacular and exciting duel.
2006
With the sports activities concluded, on November 19, 2006 at 4:14 p.m., the old box body is demolished using 700 sticks of dynamite. The explosion is witnessed by 3,000 people thronged in an emotional silence on the Rivazza hill.
2008 - 2009
The circuit gates are officially reopened on May 3. During the summer, further work is carried out, including the layout of the pit-lane entrance and the widening of the Curva Piratella escape route, among others. The following year the New Low Variant is built, necessary to meet the homologation requirements of the Federazione Motociclistica Internazionale.
2015 - 2017
Two spectacular concerts, with more than 90,000 spectators, characterize the multi-functionality of the Autodrome: first the AC/DC band, then the Guns N' Roses band give two unforgettable nights.
2018
Big news of the season is the holding of the last round of the MXGP motocross World Championship, with a technical track built in Paddock 2, joined to the Rivazza hill by a spectacular jump.
2020
In a season heavily affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo and Dino Ferrari was equally able to place itself at the center of the international sports scene with two extraordinarily important events: the Road Cycling World Championship and Formula 1. After a 14-year absence, the top four-wheel world championship returned to Imola, earning praise from the FIA, F1, drivers and teams for organizing the event.
2024
After 50 years, world four-wheel endurance racing returns to Imola with the FIA WEC 6 Hours of Imola. A great spectacle, with the most important Automobile Manufacturers at the start, attended by more than 73,000 spectators over the weekend.
2001 - 2002
2006
2008 - 2009
2015 - 2017
2018
2020
2024
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