Bologna, July 25, 2026 – Imola could return to the Formula One 2026 calendar. It would do so in an undoubtedly unprecedented scenario, like a winter one, in December, as the closing of the motor racing season. A conclusion that would certainly be exciting for Italian motorsport fans, in the year when Kimi Antonelli, from Bologna, is currently leading the world championship, and Ferrari drivers, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, are also vying for the title. Not to mention that F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali is from Imola.
The twist also comes directly from the paddock in Hungary. According to one of the main motor racing websites, The Race, the circuit nestled in the Parco delle Acque Minerali would be one of the main options considered by Formula 1 should tensions in the Middle East lead to the cancellation of the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, after the cancellations of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in April. Adding more weight to this hypothesis is the fact that Imola mayor Marco Panieri is in Hungary along with circuit director Pietro Benvenuti, where the Formula One GP is being held this weekend. A possibility, remote for now, but one that could materialize in the coming days.
While Formula 1 bosses are getting closer to giving the green light to the Malaysian Grand Prix on October 4 (with the announcement potentially even coming on Sunday 26 from the Malaysian Prime Minister), year-end plans are currently a bit more uncertain, as a decision on the Qatar and Abu Dhabi races will be made as late as possible. F1 wants to fill this void. And the backup plan if the races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi were to be cancelled, could be the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari itself.
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Previously, Portimão, which hosted two editions of the Portuguese Grand Prix, was thought to be the most likely candidate, given its preparation and suitable climate for a December race. However, in recent days some doubts have arisen about the advisability of organizing a winter GP. The Algarve International Circuit has a two-year agreement to host the Portuguese Grand Prix in 2027 and 2028, but it seems to want to complete some additional work on the structure and its infrastructure before these dates.
And in late autumn, Imola hopes to be back in the running. Should problems also emerge for the final Middle Eastern stages – Qatar on November 29 and Abu Dhabi on December 6 – the Santerno circuit could be among the options to maintain the original number of championship races. A possibility currently distant, but hope is the last to die and a door remains open for the return of the World Championship to the Enzo e Dino Ferrari.
