A new record for the Historic Minardi Day, which celebrated its 9th edition with over 20,000 attendees across the two days, confirming itself as a key event both in the calendar of the Enzo and Dino Ferrari International Circuit in Imola and for fans who, with great enthusiasm and passion, filled the paddock, garages, terrace, and open grandstands to experience first-hand 40 years of Formula 1 history and over 50 years of international motorsport. A success further confirmed by the number of cars present – over 700.
The event was inaugurated with a lap of the track by Gian Carlo Minardi aboard the 1960 Lotus Elan driven by Roberto Farneti, followed by the McLaren built by CRESPI — an Argentine company with decades of experience in car manufacturing, founded by Tulio Crespi in 1962 — for the ‘SENNA’ series, brought to the track by Luciano Crespi wearing Ayrton Senna’s original suit and helmet, rekindling unforgettable emotions and taking fans back to the 1990 World Championship.
Through a unique exhibition of seven single-seaters — symbols of four decades of competition, technical evolution, and the independent spirit of the Faenza-based team — the Checco Costa Museum celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Minardi Team’s Formula 1 debut, which took place at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, April 5, 1985, at the Brazilian Grand Prix on the Jacarepagua circuit. The exhibition, titled ’40 Years of Formula 1 in Faenza,’ showcased cars ranging from the 1985 Minardi M185 to the 2025 Racing Bulls VCARB 02, including the M189, M192, M193, and the Toro Rosso STR03 and STR05.
As always, track activity was intense throughout the fifteen daily sessions, featuring an extraordinary lineup of F. Junior, F. Abarth, F. Italia, Formula 2, Formula 3, Formula 4, GP3, GP2, F3000, Prototypes, Historic GTs, and GTS cars — thanks also to the valuable participation of Scuderia del Portello, Scuderia Tazio Nuvolari, Registro Italiano Alfa Romeo (R.I.A.R.), Club Motori Modena ‘Scuderia Modena Corse,’ and the Gino Macaluso Foundation with its two iconic Martini Racing-liveried Lancia LC1 (1982) and LC2 (1983). Unmissable in the paddock and on the track are the Hypercars and Supercars: Pagani (Huayra Roadster BC, Pagani Utopia, Pagani Zonda F, Pagani Codalunga), Lamborghini (Revuelto, Huracan STO, Urus SE), Dallara (Stradale – EXP), Pambuffetti – PJ01 – and Mazda MX5 and Lotus
To warm the hearts of enthusiasts, both in the pits and along the 4.909 km of the Imola Circuit, are the historic Formula 1 cars, ranging from the 1970 March 701 to the two Williams FW33 of 2011, including the 1974 Lotus 72E/5, Shadow DN3 (1974), Tyrrell P34s of 1976 and 1977, March Beta 761 (1976), Wolf WR1 (1977), Arrows A1 (1978), Shadow DN12 (1980), Lotus Type 91 (1982), Osella Alfa Romeo FA1G (1986), Minardi M189 (1989), Monteverdi (1990), Fondmetal GR03 (1991), Ferrari 412 T1 (1994), Arrows A20 (1999), and Minardi PS04/B (2005), along with a McLaren MP4-15 replica, enhanced this year by an autograph from Mika Häkkinen.
As always, a large number of personalities who have written important pages in world motorsport and have always been connected to the Minardi world did not miss the Historic Minardi Day: engineers Aldo Costa, Gabriele Tredozi, Nigel Cowperthwaite, Alessandro Mazzali, Luca Furbatto, and Giorgio Piola; drivers Ivan Capelli, Alessandro Nannini, Arturo Merzario, Pierluigi Martini, Riccardo Patrese, Philippe Alliot, Thierry Boutsen, Bruno Giacomelli, Miguel Angel Guerra, Roberto Moreno, Andrea Montermini, Luis Perez-Sala, Luca Badoer accompanied by his son Brando, Beppe Gabbiani, Siegfried Stohr, René Arnoux, Giovanni Lavaggi, Marco Apicella, Sergio Campana, Niccolò Piancastelli, Massimo Ciccozzi, Raffaele Giammaria, Roberto Farneti, Vinicio Salmi, Ruggero Melgrati, Giordano Regazzoni, and Alister Yoong
Many emotional moments took place, including the presentation of the 4th ‘Nando Minardi’ Memorial, awarded to the artist Alessandro Rasponi, who was featured in this edition with the exhibition “Ayrton Through Colors”. The Minardi Club Como was also recognized for their continued support. On the occasion of the group photo, Gian Carlo Minardi received the ACI Automobile Club award from General Tullio Del Sette, Extraordinary Commissioner of ACI. Merzario returned behind the wheel of the Lucchini Alfa Romeo (Scuderia del Portello); Pierluigi Martini thrilled the crowd driving the 1976 Tyrrell P34, Roberto Moreno drove the Minardi M189 and the F3 Ralt with which Martini won the 1983 European Championship; Miguel Angel Guerra shared driving duties with Roberto Farneti in the March Beta 761 and in Pierluigi Martini’s M189.
The packed program was further enriched by the double ACI Storico event. On Saturday the 13th, the 20 crews participating in the Mugello Road Circuit made their run; on Sunday the 14th, the Raduno Terre di Romagna, organized by AC Ravenna, saw 131 crews depart from the circuit heading to Faenza to visit the Racing Bulls F1 Team, before returning to the track for the parade and the event’s closing.
Gian Carlo Minardi “This edition of the Historic Minardi Day has once again exceeded all expectations, and I want to thank my brother Giuseppe, my niece Elena, Ilaria, and the entire Formula Imola team for the tremendous work carried out over these past months. It was unimaginable to anticipate such exponential growth—in terms of cars, public attendance, and industry specialists—compared to the previous edition, which was already a record. I was extremely pleased to see the younger generations also enthusiastic, as once again many young people were present, exploring the pits and admiring the numerous cars that have made motorsport history. This achievement is also a strong signal regarding the economic impact generated in the local area. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the municipal administration, starting with the Mayor of Imola, Marco Panieri, and the President of Con.Ami, Fabio Bacchilega, for their constant support, together with ACI Extraordinary Commissioner General Tullio Del Sette and the elected ACI President Geronimo La Russa, whose presence and compliments gave me great pleasure. Now, all that remains is to start working on the 2026 edition.”
Pietro Benvenuti (Managing Director, Enzo e Dino Ferrari International Circuit): “The ninth edition of the Historic Minardi Day was a great success, both in terms of organization and attendance. For two days, the Enzo e Dino Ferrari International Circuit became the beating heart of motorsport, attracting thousands of enthusiasts, families, and collectors who were able to experience firsthand the excitement of a truly unique event. The dedication of the Minardi family, supported by Formula Imola and all involved parties, made possible a rich and varied program that combined on-track spectacle, history, culture, and entertainment. The presence of great champions and legendary cars added further prestige to an event that, year after year, continues to grow and establish itself as a key international appointment. It is a great satisfaction to see Imola once again in the spotlight, confirming the circuit’s role as a venue capable of honoring the past, celebrating the present, and looking confidently toward the future of motorsport.”
