McLaren star Oscar Piastri says it’s necessary for System 1 to “protect historical past” and guarantee sufficient traditional tracks stay on the calendar.
Final weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix seemingly noticed F1’s ultimate go to to the legendary Imola circuit for the foreseeable future, with the circuit’s contract with the sequence coming to an finish.
Though folks concerned within the promotion of the race expressed confidence {that a} new deal could possibly be reached earlier this month, F1 boss Stefano Domenicali has made it clear that it’s arduous to justify internet hosting two races in Italy when there may be a lot curiosity from new international locations to be part of the present.
Imola’s scenario is just like another European circuits, with Zandvoort dropping out of the calendar after 2026 and Spa-Francorchamps agreeing to a rotational deal that might see it being absent from the F1 schedule in 2028 and ‘30.
Another traditional venues like Hockenheim and Nurburgring have been lengthy dropped by F1 to make manner for brand new circuits – usually avenue venues in nations which have a restricted tradition of motor racing.
Describing the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari as considered one of his favorite race tracks on the earth, world championship chief Piastri warned F1 in opposition to transferring away from conventional venues.
“It’s an amazing circuit,” he stated of Imola. “I’ve solely raced right here as soon as [before 2025], however it’s positively in the direction of the highest finish of my favourites.
“Having two races in the identical nation, with what number of bids we’ve from world wide, possibly doesn’t make that a lot sense anymore. And when you might have Monza as your second race in Italy, it’s fairly arduous to not go to Monza. There’d be some riots if we didn’t!
“So for me, we simply must be cautious to protect the historical past. Zandvoort goes, Spa goes to be on rotation, which I’m not the happiest about. We simply must be cautious to not lose these historic tracks.
“OK, possibly it’s not the most effective observe to race on — not the most effective for overtaking — however by way of the final word expertise of driving an F1 automobile, that is on the high of the checklist. We must be conscious of that.”
Newly-recruited Alpine driver Franco Colapinto additionally highlighted the enjoyment of driving on an old-school observe like Imola, whose format may be very completely different to among the newer venues designed by Hermann Tilke.
“I like Imola. I like Italy. I’ve some nice recollections and nice historical past right here. I began in Monza — that was my debut in System 1 — and now it is Imola. Nonetheless in Italy, however with Alpine. I like Imola. It’s an amazing observe with a large historical past in System 1. All of us like coming right here.
“The historical past this brings to the game, it’s an amazing observe, and particularly to drive a System 1 automobile right here. There are particular corners — it’s such an old-school observe, it’s very satisfying to drive.”
