AlphaTauri test shows "amazing" Imola deserves a place on the F1 calendar

Pierre Gasly and Daniil Kvyat are convinced Imola should return to the Formula 1 calendar this year after testing the AlphaTauri at the circuit last month.

Imola last featured on the F1 calendar in 2006, with Michael Schumacher fending off Fernando Alonso to record his first victory of that year.

After recently completing laps in both the AT01 and 2018 Toro Rosso STR13, Kvyat has said he would welcome the return of the "old school" circuit.

“Yes certainly,” said Kvyat in the FIA Thursday drivers' press conference at the Red Bull Ring ahead of the circuit's staging of this year's season-opening grand prix in Austria.

“Imola, Mugello. I drove Mugello a few years back, also an amazing track. I think these kinds of tracks would be very special to have on the F1 calendar.

“It’s quite old school, it’s quite bumpy. The kerbs are challenging. I think we can learn that changing the track too much to make them similar, installing the same kerbs everywhere or trying to be too afraid of bumpiness and trying to make all tracks perfect, is the wrong direction to take.

“This is the good thing about Imola that gives a lot of pleasure to drive there.”

Gasly, too, gave Imola the vote of confidence, describing it as "amazing", and lauding it to be “one of the best experiences driving a Formula 1 car”.

“Just the history of that track makes it really special,” he said.

“With the downforce and the speed we go out with these Formula 1 cars, these kind of old tracks with pretty small run-off areas, the adrenaline was incredible, so I would really like to see Imola on the calendar.

"You really feel you’re at the limit and you really feel the potential of an F1 car. Also, taking the risks of going through these corners at such speed, I don’t know.

“Inside the car, it creates real energy, quite similar to Spa for some reasons. I just think it’s a track that suits an F1 car really well.”

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