Imola hosted the 6 Hours of the FIA World Endurance Championship for the first time and there was no shortage of spectacle on and off the track.
The best prototype and GT manufacturers in the world battled at the Enzo and Dino Ferrari International Autodrome and the public did not miss the opportunity to turn out en masse, despite the adverse weather conditions which saw rain falling at times over the weekend, saving enthusiasts and professionals only on Friday.
The attendance recorded over the three days was a total of 73,600, with obviously the big names of the house such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Isotta Fraschini and Valentino Rossi attracting the attention of the public, who also had the opportunity to enjoy much else such as refreshment points, Ferris wheel, concerts and Fan Zone.
Since Friday, flags and banners have started to arrive on the banks of the Santerno, with enthusiasts taking their places in the stands and along the track to enjoy the wonderful cars of the World Endurance Championship, without obviously losing the chance to meet the drivers in the paddock for the inevitable autographs and photos.
Fans
Photo by: Emanuele Clivati | AG Photo
“They were 3 fantastic days, excellent organization and for this I want to thank the Director, Pietro Benvenuti, and all the Formula Imola staff who worked really hard”, declared Gian Carlo Minardi, President of Formula Imola.
“Naturally we cannot fail to be satisfied with the response of the public, the 73,600 attendances is a figure that certifies the success of the event. It is the first year that we have organized a round of the WEC and I must say that thanks to the teamwork of all the parties involved there are the foundations to be able to continue in the coming years.”
“For this I want to thank the FIA WEC, the Municipal Administration, which has been very active in these days and in this negotiation, the Con.Ami and the Emilia-Romagna Region, which has supported us once again and which we are sure will will also do in the future.”
The 73,600 in Imola, with the exception of the 24h of Le Mans, is the highest attendance figure recorded in the WEC, surpassing the 6h of Monza last year which reached 65,000.
Ferrari fans
Photo by: Paul Foster
An all-round relaunch
After a few years of so-called 'lean' years, the Autodromo has now restarted in a big way for some time now and the FIA WEC was only the last event of international importance to arrive in Emilia Romagna.
The track named after Enzo and Dino Ferrari could not fail to provide a spectacle also for the protagonists who will compete in the 24h of Le Mans in a couple of months. And it was precisely on the Circuit de la Sarthe that the 2024 calendar was announced with the presence of Imola, which greatly pleased many professionals and others.
Motorsport.com was able to talk about this and more in this exclusive interview with the Mayor of Imola, Marco Panieri, who explained how time and resources were invested in a little gem that is fundamental for the Motor Valley from various points of view.
Antonello Coletta, Ferrari, and Marco Panieri, Mayor of Imola
Photo by: Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari of Imola
Imola came to the rescue of Monza, which is undergoing restructuring, with a very successful event, do you agree?
“Certainly, even if our history with the WEC starts from the presentation of the Ferrari 499P at the end of 2022; a baptism of fire, red and passion. We had the opportunity to work with Frédéric Lequien, head of Le Mans Endurance Management, for the ELMS and then we went to the 24 Hours of Le Mans to realize an opportunity that we shouldn't have missed.”
You have put yourselves on the line for the umpteenth time…
“Yes, we had already done it with F1 and the Cycling World Championship in 2020, confirming that sport is very important for us and for the Emilia Romagna Region. The great occasion of the WEC has given us a lot to work on after a difficult year , remembering that our territory suffered serious damage from the flood”.
Satisfied with the result?
“We started again first with Lamborghini Arena, today with the WEC which exceeded expectations given the 73,600 attendances in three days. Seeing the fans of Valentino Rossi, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Isotta Fraschini and so on was very important. We experienced the The Fan Zone area, Ferris wheel and other initiatives, in addition to the connection with the historic center of Imola. The Autodrome is a city one and we have focused heavily on the renovation of the station to connect the heart of the city to the track and carry out activities”.
#63 Lamborghini Iron Lynx Lamborghini SC63: Mirko Bortolotti, Edoardo Mortara, Daniil Kvyat
Photo by: Emanuele Clivati | AG Photo
Too bad about the weather…
“The rain gave thrilling moments on the track, bringing out the best drivers, but already from the Ferrari hat-trick in Qualifying with Hyperpole it was a very beautiful moment for us, especially thinking about the good direct relationship we have with Antonello Coletta, Head of Racing endurance in Maranello. We remember that we will host the Ferrari World Finals at the end of an incredible year, the result of a team effort between Gian Carlo Minardi and his Formula Imola, the city of Imola and a lot of interaction with the citizens, who had the opportunity to experience make the most of this experience.”
F1 always attracts a lot of people, did you expect such a turnout for the WEC too?
“It had been 50 years since this series had come to Imola to race and we were present at the Centenary of the 24h of Le Mans when the agreement was closed, with the victory of the 499P which ties it all together very well! We worked a lot on the track and grandstands , pit area, press room and museum with important interventions and investments. It is a process that started less than 3 years ago looking to the future and we will do everything to keep this race on the calendar as well because we believe it is important to give meaning to what we do. represents the Motor Valley. Here is the beating heart of motorsport in our area and we see it on the track with their products in action.”
What is the difficulty in organizing major events such as WEC and F1 in such a short space of time?
“First of all, a short supply chain is needed: the Autodromo is owned by the Municipality, then there is Formula Imola which manages it and finally Con.Ami, the consortium of local investors. Let's add the relationship with the Emilia Romagna Region, plus some Ministries such as that of Made In Italy, which is what we are representing in these days, which is very important within the calendar of events. Finally, also the relationship with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for international ties, there is a lot of dialogue and work, but in a simple, direct and genuine way with that great passion that unites generations, like those between me and Gian Carlo Minardi. This is how we live the world of motorsport.”
Valentino Rossi fans
Photo by: Paul Foster
In Bologna and other cities there is talk of the difficulties of organizing events in stadiums that are surrounded by houses. What is the situation for the Autodromo?
“The answer is simple: for us this is a huge opportunity. We have worked by investing over 2 million euros in the station, today arriving by train makes travel easier rather than traveling by car. In Bologna there is high speed, an airport, while in Ravenna the port, and the Autodromo can be easily reached in 15 minutes. In those 1500m you can cross the city experiencing the genuine flavor of our land and of Emilia Romagna. It is located in an important position, 4km from the motorway, it is urban and it has value for this reason.”
Could we have some surprises in the coming years too?
“We have already mastered many things in recent times, but we are returning to making some interesting mixes. The Tour De France will pass, soon Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna will be remembered, the women's Giro d'Italia will start from here, then we will have the return of the ELMS and we will close 2024 with the Ferrari World Finals. Who knows for the future, we are working hard on the multifunctionality and sustainability of the facility, which the championships also ask for. Finally, there is the synergy with the university world, which is very important from a research point of view; we have wired the entire track for autonomous driving and there are important projects. Among the various relationships I would like to mention the one with the Montecatone hospital, giving those who are being treated in the facility the possibility of being able to do so. get involved safely by riding handbikes and special licences, working on road safety with the police. In short, a 360° functionality”.
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