A closing F1 race in Imola in early December as a replacement for the GPs of Qatar and Abu Dhabi: these rumors have been around in the paddock for some time, but now they are also coming from Imola itself. Local entrepreneurs have reported to FORMULE 1 Magazine that they have now understood that the premier class is landing in Emilia-Romagna.
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Hotel prices in Imola and surrounding areas have risen sharply in recent days, as an inventory shows. This fact aligns with the rumors from Imola itself. It is a trend that was also visible during the last race weekend before the summer break, in Hungary. It was then announced that the previously canceled GP of Bahrain would move to Malaysia (early October) and that the continuation of the last two GPs of this season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi was increasingly at risk due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East between Iran and the United States. Imola was immediately mentioned as a possible replacement.
Imola on pole
In the summer, F1 boss Stefano Domenicali then stated that any replacement for Qatar and Abu Dhabi should be sought in Europe. Practically, this is the most convenient for Formula 1 and the teams. Portimão was then mentioned by insiders, as well as Istanbul. But even then, the impression was that the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola was in pole position.
With the sometimes flaring up and at least smoldering conflict in the Middle East, a performance by Max Verstappen and company in the GPs in Qatar and Abu Dhabi still seems further away than ever. Earlier, sources in the paddock stated that more clarity should come by mid or late September.
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Although an official confirmation is lacking and the hope and preference of FIA and FOM is still a season finale in Abu Dhabi, the reports from Imola make it clear that an alternative scenario is imminent. Only a miracle can still ensure that the races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi remain on the calendar later this season.
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