The confirmation of three Formula 1 races in Italy is “strong recognition” of the country’s motorsport history, ACI president Angelo Sticchi Damiani says.
On Friday, it was confirmed Imola will return to the calendar for the first time since 2006 on November 1, with F1 set to trial a two-day weekend with one practice and qualifying on Saturday and the race on Sunday.
This, in addition to earlier races at Monza and Mugello, means Italy joins the United States as only the second nation to hold three races in one season, a statistic the ACI takes great pride in.
“It’s an important milestone and a strong recognition of the organisational qualities and the history of Italian motorsport,” Sticchi Damiani said.
“The decision of the FIA and of the Formula One Group, to include a race on the Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit in the 2020 calendar, after those already scheduled at Monza and Mugello, is yet another confirmation of the quality of the work done by the ACI over the years.
“Of course, this decision is also recognition of the history at Imola which, for 20 years, has written fundamental pages of the Formula 1 epic,” he added.
“[It is] An extraordinary return that rewards the technical qualities of the facility and the great skills of those who have been working on it for years.
“This designation, therefore, leads to three Formula 1 Grands Prix to be held this year in Italy – an absolute record for our country and a unique case in the world that certifies the high quality of our nation’s motorsport system.
“In fact, we are the only ones in the world to have three circuits approved to host races of the maximum formula of motorsport.”
Of the three races, Monza will continue as the Italian GP, Mugello will be called the Tuscan GP Ferrari 1000 and Imola will take place under a new banner of the Emilia Romagna GP, this after running as the San Marino GP between 1980-2006.
