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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Daniel Moxon

F1 announces long-term deal keeping popular race track on the calendar

Formula 1 will continue to race at Imola for at least the next the next four years after bosses struck a deal to extend its stay in the sport.

The track, known officially as the Enzo e Dino International Circuit, will stay on the F1 calendar until 2025 thanks to the new contract.

The 2022 race at Imola will be the third in a row, after the historic track returned to the sport in 2020 after a long absence.

Imola was the venue for the Italian Grand Prix 1980, but that remains the only race with that name to take place at the circuit to this day.

That is because the following year, it became the San Marino Grand Prix and remained a staple of the world championship calendar for the next quarter of a century.

The track will be on the race calendar until 2025 (REUTERS)

But it disappeared after the 2006 race, and only returned in 2020 as F1 officials scrambled to put together a calendar after the original plan has been thrown out by the coronavirus pandemic.

The sport's top brass are clearly pleased enough with how the two Emilia Romagna Grands Prix since have gone, as they have announced its stay on the calendar will be extended.

"I am delighted that we will be continuing our excellent partnership with Imola for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix until 2025," said F1 chief Stefano Domenicali.

"The circuit is iconic and has been part of the history of our sport and they have done an incredible job of hosting two races during the pandemic.

"It is a proud moment for our Italian fans to host two races and for all our fans around the world to see this fantastic circuit on the calendar for the future."

Angelo Sticchi Damiani, president of the Italian Automobile Club, added: "Imola, its great history and the strong tie of its territory to the world of engines, deserved this recognition.

"This is not only a great success for sport in Italy but also a great enrichment for the top international motorsport series that has confirmed in its calendar for several years one of the most difficult races, but also the greatest, and the one that's mostly loved by both drivers and teams.

"Of course, the long negotiations carried out by the Automobile Club of Italy managed to achieve the desired goal thanks to the important support received from various local authorities.

"Among all, I would like to underline the enthusiastic work of the Emilia Romagna Region and its President Stefano Bonaccini."

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