© Getty ImagesThe Highs and Lows of ImolaThe best and worst moments from Italy’s second Grand Prix: Imola
Ah,historicImola,ortogiveititsofficialname:AutodromoEnzoeDinoFerrari,isafananddriverfavouritebecauseofitshighspeedsandnonstopaction.
Everyone knows about Monza – the home of the Italian Grand Prix – but in 1980 Imola was given the honour of hosting the race. It was an instant success and returned the following year as the San Marino Grand Prix, where it stayed on the calendar up until the 2006 season. It then made a triumphant comeback in 2020 and has stayed ever since.
Despite all the history of Formula One at Imola, the Team has only raced there on five occasions, but hey, this is Oracle Red Bull Racing, so there’s plenty to talk about…
After a fantastic debut season for the Team in 2005, the following year was a tough one to take. The Ferrari-engine powered RB2 struggled with cooling, and it was a steep learning curve for the Bulls. The San Marino Grand Prix was the fourth race of the season and unfortunately was a tough day for both David Coulthard and Christian Klien.
Christian suffered a hydraulics issue on lap 40 and had to retire. Then seven laps later, DC, who was running in P11 at that point, suffered a driveshaft issue and also had to retire, meaning the Team suffered a double DNF at the last ever San Marino Grand Prix.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and restricted travel, the 2020 season was mainly constrained to Europe, and Imola was back on the menu under the new name of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
Max started the race in P3, behind the Mercedes’ of Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton – who was leading.
On lap 42 Max was able to get past Bottas and into P2. Then 13 laps before the chequered flag, Max’s right rear tyre failed, sending him spinning into the gravel trap. Max and his RB16 were beached and the Safety Car was deployed, ending Max’s chance of a podium at the first time of asking at Imola.
It seems there’s nothing more dangerous than an angry Max Verstappen, so when the Bulls returned to Imola for the 2021 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix he wanted that trophy he missed out on and was going to push.
Max qualified for the race in P3, behind Checo and Hamilton. It was a wet day and at the start Max flew off the line getting ahead of both Checo and Hamilton to take the lead into turn one and that’s where he stayed (apart from a pitstop) until the chequered flag, making it his first win of that historic 2021 season.
When the Team returned in 2022 for round four of the season Max had the #1 number on his car and was heading towards one of the most dominating seasons (at that point). Although he had suffered two retirements from the opening three rounds, the RB18 was looking like a solid platform for the Bulls and it really shone for both drivers in Imola.
Max qualified in pole with Checo in P3. At lights out max powered away in the wet and Checo was able to get ahead of Charles Leclerc to move into P2. And that’s where they stayed with Checo only temporarily dropping to P4 due to his pitstop.
At the end of the race, Max had won by an impressive 16 seconds. Along the way he collected the fastest lap and led every lap, giving him the second Grand Slam of his career. With Checo Coming in P2, it gave the Team its first its first one-two finish in six seasons!
Another One-Two For The Collection© Getty Images
The 2023 race in Imola had to be cancelled due to a tragic series of floods in the entire Emilia-Romagna region. The majority of the floods took place on 16–17 May 2023, killing at least 15 people and displacing 50,000 others.
On 16th May the FIA instructed all teams and personnel to leave the paddock, citing precautionary steps after a rise in water level at the nearby Santerno river. Ultimately, the race was cancelled but the trophies from the cancelled race, Ferrari Trento celebration bottle, and related items were auctioned to raise relief funds for Emilia-Romagna.
Max and Checo return to their happy hunting ground in Imola this weekend. After two sprint race weekends it’s back to the traditional format, which starts with Free Practice One at 13:30 track time (11:30UTC). Make sure you keep coming back here for exclusive stories, videos, pictures and analysis.
Best Seats In The House© Getty Images
