F1 indicates iconic circuit at risk of dropping from calendar

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has said he will soon have to make a decision over the future of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

Held at the infamous Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, more commonly known as the Imola Circuit after the nearby town, it represents one of two grand prix held in Italy.

Its existing contract expires after the 2025 edition of the race, leaving its future uncertain, particularly given the European nation holds two of F1's 24 events.

With the Italian Grand Prix, at Monza, on the schedule until at least 2031, Imola is the natural choice to make way as F1 looks to further expand into new regions and territories, namely Africa and Thailand.

"Italy has always represented and will represent in the future an important part of F1," Domenicali told Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"It will be increasingly difficult to have two GPs in the same country because the interest in F1 is growing and it is a situation that we will have to face in the coming months. It is difficult for this situation of Imola and Monza together on the calendar to continue for much longer.

"From a human point of view it will not be easy, but I have to exercise an international role that places me in front of many requests around the world from emerging countries that can allow F1 to grow.

"It is an evaluation that I will soon have to resolve as a definitive choice."

Responding in a moment of 'great difficulty'

Having held the San Marino Grand Prix between 1981 and 2006, Imola returned to the F1 calendar in 2020, as a COVID-19 substitute.

Domenicali, a native of Imola himself, was quick to highlight how to venue stepped up in a difficult time.

"I do not forget that Imola responded in a moment of great difficulty, that of COVID," the 59-year-old explained.

"When there was a need to find new places, they responded immediately with the enthusiasm and ability of an entire city."

It is not yet clear whether Imola becoming a rotational circuit on the F1 calendar, as Spa Francorchamps (Belgian Grand Prix) is due to in coming seasons, is a possibility.