'Legendary' Italian triple-header on the cards for F1?
Formula 1 could have three Italian rounds this year, with Imola continuing its push to be included on the revised 2020 calendar.
Imola had already thrown its hat into the ring to be considered for a race this season amid the disruption caused by the COVID-19 crisis, and is understood to be on the shortlist of European-based circuits F1 is considering to help it complete the remainder of its 2020 schedule.
Formula 1 could have three Italian rounds this year, with Imola continuing its push to be included on the revised 2020 calendar.
Imola had already thrown its hat into the ring to be considered for a race this season amid the disruption caused by the COVID-19 crisis, and is understood to be on the shortlist of European-based circuits F1 is considering to help it complete the remainder of its 2020 schedule.
F1 machinery returned to action around the former San Marino Grand Prix venue on Wednesday, as Pierre Gasly and Daniil Kvyat conducted a combined filming run and test for AlphaTauri.
F1 has so far confirmed the opening eight rounds of the calendar, running through until the Italian Grand Prix at Monza on September 6. Mugello is expected to get the green light to stage a second Italian round a week later on September 12.
Prior to the season-opener in Austria on July 5, Ferrari completed a test day at Mugello with its 2018 SF71H on Tuesday, leading to Sebastian Vettel saying the circuit “deserved” to hold a grand prix this year. Should such a scenario occur, the venue would host the Scuderia’s 1000th world championship race appearance.
Meanwhile, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown told Sky Sports F1’s latest vodcast episode that he believes it is “pretty likely” Mugello will be added to the 2020 F1 calendar.
With the Tuscany circuit looking increasingly likely to join the calendar this year, Imola’s circuit boss Uberto Selvatico Estense has urged F1 to consider a triple-header event in the country.
@PierreGASLY at the Acque Minerali turn, @autodromoimola #F1 pic.twitter.com/h4REkraOtq
— Scuderia AlphaTauri (@AlphaTauriF1) June 24, 2020
“Imola has F1 in its DNA and on this track the history of F1 has taken place, it must not be forgotten and we must be rightly proud of it,” he said following AlphaTauri’s test day.
“Looking ahead, and with an eye to the local economy in this serious moment of crisis, our goal is to bring back the top series to Imola’s circuit from this year.
"The most logical and most suitable solution for F1 fans from all over the world would be to use circuits with great media impact, as Imola certainly is. Perhaps together with Monza and Mugello, for a legendary national triple.
“We started since April of this year working with great dedication and passion on this hypothesis, together with the local and regional institutions and the FOWC [F1 world championship], and we hope that the national sports authority will also support our candidature for this season.”
After getting the chance to drive the AT01 and STR13 around Imola, AlphaTauri driver Daniil Kvyat backed the circuit’s bid to earn a slot on this season’s schedule.
“Imola is a special track and I am very happy to get back in a F1 car, after this long pause, on this circuit,” the Russian said. “I’ve known it for some time, because I did one of my first tests here with a single-seater in 2010.
“The track is really fantastic to drive, with some nice fast corners. I am of the opinion that it should absolutely be on the F1 calendar.”
Mugello has never before hosted an F1 grand prix, while Imola last held a world championship race in 2006.
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