Imola is a circuit with soul. Built in 1953, it becomes famous for hosting the Formula One San Marino Grand Prix between 1981 and 2006. The track is forever linked with the legacies of Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger, whose tragic accidents in 1994 reshape F1 safety. Today, it remains a prominent venue for Formula One, GT World Challenge, and endurance championships.
Track Basics
- Length: 4.909 km / 3.05 miles
- Turns: 21
- Surface: Asphalt
- Direction: Anti-clockwise
- Major Events: Formula One Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, GT World Challenge, World Endurance, MotoGP (historically).
Key Corners & Sections
- Tamburello (Turns 2–4): Once a flat-out left, now a chicane that sets the lap’s rhythm.
- Villeneuve (Turns 5–6): A high-speed kink-chicane combination requiring bravery.
- Tosa (Turn 7): A tight left-hand hairpin, uphill on exit — one of the few overtaking zones.
- Acque Minerali (Turns 11–13): A downhill-right into a steep uphill left, one of the most technical complexes.
- Variante Alta (Turns 14–15): A tight chicane with high curbs, demanding aggressive but controlled driving.
- Rivazza (Turns 17–18): Two downhill left-handers leading to the long pit straight — crucial for lap times and overtakes.
Driving Keys
- Chicane discipline: Most of Imola’s lap time is gained or lost on entry and exit curbs.
- Braking stability: Downhill braking zones punish loose setups.
- Exit traction: Corners like Tosa and Rivazza dictate straight-line speed opportunities.
- Awareness in traffic: Multi-class endurance racing at Imola magnifies the narrow track limits.
Why it matters in iRacing
Imola is one of iRacing’s most technically demanding circuits. It rewards rhythm and aggression in equal measure, making it a premier venue for official GT3, Formula 3, and endurance events.
