Did you know? #1 - Introducing the Autodromo Enzo & Dino Ferrari

The circuit is situated in parkland near the town of Imola, 40 kilometres to the east of Bologna.  It hosted the 1980 F1 Grand Prix of Italy before becoming the venue for the Grand Prix of San Marino over a period of 25 years, from 1981 to 2006.

Originally known for being an ultra-quick track, it underwent modifications in the ‘90s following the tragic deaths of Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix which notably transformed the Tamburello and Villeneuve corners.  It was substantially modernised in 2007, the work being overseen by famous F1 circuit designer Hermann Tilke. 

Made up of 9 right-hand and 13 left-hand corners, the 4.909 km Imola track is one of relatively few on which cars run anti-clockwise. It offers a very technical layout which is difficult to conquer, with complicated corners which require superior driving skills.

Numerous endurance events have taken place at Imola, with races ranging from 250km to 1000km, or from three to six hours.  The forerunner to the ELMS, the Le Mans Series, held only one race there as part of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup in 2011 and since 2013 the European Le Mans Series has been a permanent fixture on the circuit’s racing calendar.

Now the Michelin GT3 Le Mans Cup becomes the latest addition to the history of the Italian circuit.