Former Grand Prix venue seeks to fill vacant Chinese GP slot

Former San Marino and Italian Grand Prix venue volunteers to fill the Chinese Grand Prix slot on the 2020 Formula One calendar with Liberty Media keen to bring the race total back up to 22.

With the Chinese Grand Prix having been postponed due to an outbreak of the coronavirus, rumours of an alternate Grand Prix have been swirling. The initial social media reaction put an immediate return of the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim in pole position, but RacingNews365 revealed that bosses at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari have shown interest in hosting a race this year, the circuit better known as Imola.

"We have indeed submitted an application to the FIA and the F1 organisation to replace the Chinese GP," circuit director Roberto Marazzi told RacingNews365.

"We have not yet received a response. I expect it is difficult to get everything arranged."

Imola last hosted a Formula One Grand Prix in 2006 which was won by Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher - the 85th of his 91 victories.

Sadly, the circuit is best remembered for the part it played in the 1994 season when, on the same weekend, both Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna died in separate incidents. Rubens Barrichello had previously had a lucky escape from a heavy impact on the Friday of the weekend.

GPFans have contacted Imola officials for further comment on their Formula One interest.

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