Andrea Stella: Imola circuit’ fantastic for Formula 1′ as threat looms over its future

Andrea Stella has thrown his weight behind the Imola Circuit as questions continue to be asked over its future on the F1 calendar.

Returning to the F1 calendar in 2020 after a 14 year absence, Imola quickly reasserted itself as a fan favourite.

One of F1’s older circuits, it features gravel traps and grass, elements sorely lacking in modern F1. However, the size of the cars, and pressures of more countries looking to capitalise on F1’s popularity have left Imola on the brink of dropping off the F1 calendar once again.

Speaking in the Team Principal’s press conference ahead of practice, McLaren’s Andrea Stella gave his reasoning for Imola to stay as a staple of modern F1.

“Definitely a special venue. I work in Formula 1, but I also have quite a lot of passion for Formula 1, and Imola resonates with this passion. Let me say, first of all, from a circuit point of view – the layout, the fast, flowing and narrow track – you don’t find many like it. Suzuka is another one.

“Quite unforgiving; as soon as you make a mistake, it can be quite penalising. The going up and downhill. I think it’s great for the drivers, it’s great for the fans, and we do hope that this venue will stay as part of the calendar for the future because this would be fantastic for Formula 1.

Memories of classic races at Imola

Andrea Stella was then asked about the battles between Michael Schumacher at Ferrari and Fernando Alonso at Renault. The two titans battled for supremacy in 2005 and 2006, with Schumacher taking revenge at the latter race after Alonso narrowly beat him to victory.

“Yes, they were very interesting and, interestingly, they were opposite sides in 2005 and 2006. So, it goes back in the years, but I would like to take this opportunity – especially for the younger fans – to go and take a look at those two races, 2005 and 2006,because that was, I think in both cases, one of the closest races we have had in dry conditions. For me, a couple of additional memories – 2003, this Imola, I’m particularly attached to that race, because it was the season changer in the championship with Michael Schumacher.

“After a difficult start, we won here in Imola. I do remember that weekend very well, like it was yesterday, and then the season changed after that success.

“The final one is the winter testing of 2004. At the time, you could still take two cars of different seasons, and we had the 2003 and 2004 cars here in Imola, and they were going around at the same time – one driven by Michael and one driven by Rubens – and we realised that we had a super car in hand for 2004 because the lap time and the consistency of that car was great.

“So, a lot attached to this circuit, definitely from me.”

Andrea Stella pays tribute to a former colleague at the Imola GP

Andrea Stella also took a moment to pay tribute to Fernando Alonso’s physiotherapist Fabrizio Borra. Borra passed away after a battle with cancer, having been at the Spaniard’s side since his debut in 2001.

“I would like to take advantage, if you allow me – and hopefully I’m not abusing all my time – as we talked about memories, to pay tribute to Fabrizio Borra. Fabrizio, I got to know him as Fernando Alonso’s physio in 2010. Since then, we have shared a journey in Formula 1.

“He has always been, since then, a great friend to me. Fabrizio was a person of dedication and generosity – a person that applied this dedication and generosity to the people, but also to the subject that he was the expert on.

” For me, I remember all the chats with Fabrizio – I learned a lot from him. He has been not only the physio and the reference for Fernando Alonso but also Gianmarco Tamberi, a gold medallist in high jump, and Marco Pantani in cycling – just to say the versatility of this individual. So, it’s a big, big loss. We are all very sad.

“All our thoughts are with the family, and definitely I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to pay tribute to Fabrizio.