A fan’s dream weekend in Italy’s racing heartland — Imola delivered
If you're after old-school racing, real fans, and trackside drama, Imola delivers. It might not have the glitz of the newer circuits, but it has soul, history, and unforgettable views. I experienced it all firsthand, and it was everything you could want from a race weekend.
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Mornings hit differently on Grand Prix weekends. The buzz starts the moment you head down for breakfast in the hotel and see all the other fans up early, ready to go. Donning caps and T-shirts showing their favourite F1 drivers and teams. That shared anticipation and excitement stays with you through the whole journey to the track, as more fans join the crowd heading towards the circuit.
The journey from Bologna to Imola was quick and easy, just 20 minutes on the train, followed by a 25-minute walk through the quiet streets of the village. 
Walking through Imola early in the morning on the way to the circuit
Everything looked familiar from watching this Grand Prix on TV over the years, but seeing it in person was something else. You start to realise just how close it all is. The town, the track, the circuit itself. The circuit is actually in the town. Right there, right on the edge. We arrived early, ready for a full day. Today we had Paddock Club passes. We were keen to make the most of the day. While we waited for it to open, we watched the F1 team personnel arrive and tried to spot a few familiar faces. Once inside, we signed up straight away for the track tour and a visit to the Formula 2 paddock. Both were filling up fast, so getting in early paid off. There were also driver appearances scheduled for later in the day, including former F1 driver Jean Alesi and Valtteri Bottas. I've always been a Bottas fan, so that was definitely something I wanted to be around for later. We picked up our American Express headsets too. These things are game changers. You get live commentary right in your ears, so you always know exactly what's going on out on track. I used them last year and they made a massive difference. These seem to be available at most Grands Prix now that American Express is a Formula One sponsor. Plus, there was a priority lane for American Express cardholders to get into the circuit, which helped us skip the queue each day. So if you've got an American Express card, make sure you take it with you. We made our way into the Paddock Club suite just as Formula 3 qualifying got underway. Our suite was located directly above the McLaren garage and we couldn't have asked for a better spot. From here, we could see the cars heading out into the pit lane. It was the perfect view, especially if you're a McLaren fan like me. 
Right above the McLaren garage—perfect view
The next big highlight of the day was a surprise run-in with Charles Leclerc right there in the Formula One Paddock Club. Totally unexpected. He was just doing some filming for a sponsor as I walked past, so I stopped and watched for a moment. Seeing drivers up close like that makes the whole experience feel even more special. 
Charles Leclerc in the Formula One Paddock Club
By midday, it was time for the track tour. We toured the circuit while Porsche Supercup driver, Flynt Schuring, gave commentary, pointing out the key corners and explaining how the track feels from behind the wheel. Hearing a professional break it down brought a whole new layer of understanding. The elevation changes were especially striking—something you just don't pick up on when you're watching on TV. 
On board the track tour around Imola
After the tour, we headed into the pit lane walk. Teams were out practicing pit stops, cars lined up in their garages, and we got to stroll right past them all. At one point, we caught the Red Bull crew doing a team photo in the pit box. Just a few seconds later, there was Max Verstappen himself. These little moments feel like they come out of nowhere, and suddenly you're standing a few metres away from a World Champion. 
Pit lane walk at Imola
The afternoon kicked off with the first Formula One practice session, and from our spot above the McLaren pit box, we had a perfect view. We could watch the team in action: cars heading out, pit stops being rehearsed, all of it unfolding in real time. Seeing it all from above gave us a better sense of just how much is happening at once. Next up was our guided tour of the Formula One paddock. We walked amongst the team motorhomes, keeping an eye out for familiar faces, and it didn't take long. Former F1 drivers like David Coulthard and Jacques Villeneuve were right there. It's the kind of place where you're constantly looking around because you never know who might be just a few steps away. 
Jacques Villeneuve with the Sky TV team in the Formula One paddock
We ended the day with one last walk down the pit lane, watching the teams work late into the evening on their cars. Mechanics adjusting parts, engineers deep in discussion, and a buzz in the air. Mechanics working to music, the lights starting to dim around the circuit. You don't always realise this is going on after the TV cameras move away. It felt like the workday was actually just getting started. For the rest of the weekend, we watched from the Villeneuve 3 grandstand. During F1 qualifying, Yuki Tsunoda crashed his Red Bull right in front of us, bringing out the red flag. Not exactly the moment you hope for, but it definitely grabbed everyone's attention. It's one thing seeing a crash on TV, but when it happens right in front of you, the impact and silence that follows hit differently. Sunday delivered even more track action. One standout moment was watching Lando Norris pull off a clean overtake right through the Villeneuve chicane, just in front of us. If you’re planning a future trip, the Tosa 1 grandstand also looked like a strong option. It’s positioned on the uphill braking zone, where drivers were jostling for position all session long. 
Tosa grandstand with Villeneuve 3 grandstand in the background
Imola itself is a beautiful circuit. It’s definitely on the older side, and that’s part of its charm. Don’t expect the slick, polished setup you’d find at places like Abu Dhabi or Miami. The track has character, and a few quirks. Signage inside the circuit was minimal, and even though our grandstand was pretty close to the main entrance, we still managed to take a few wrong turns before finding it. Getting to Imola is relatively easy. It’s just a 20-minute train ride from Bologna. The trains are large and modern, usually double-decker. Our first day was smooth, on time, no queues. But race day was a different story. We missed the Formula 2 feature race entirely due to a long delay on the train departing, and on the way back, we queued for about an hour and 40 minutes at Imola station. That said, considering the size of the village and the crowd, it was actually pretty well managed. If you’re thinking about booking a package that includes coach transfers, just be aware that the coach parking is about a 45-minute walk from the circuit’s entrance. And that’s before you deal with traffic. Walking from Imola station is easier. It’s around 20 to 25 minutes at a relaxed pace, and taking the train gave us more flexibility to plan our day our own way. On track, Max Verstappen hit back in the title race with a dominant drive, controlling the race from the front. Both McLarens joined him on the podium after a strong showing, and Lewis Hamilton came home in fourth. Imola delivered a proper Grand Prix weekend, and being there in person made it all the more unforgettable. |
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Rob is an experienced independent travel consultant and travel content creator.
His love for Formula One started in the 1990s, watching the greats like Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, and Mika Hakkinen. He traveled to his first Grand Prix in 1999. It was the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona. Since then, Rob has traveled to over 2/3 of Grand Prix' on the current Formula One calendar. Fast forward to today, and Rob has turned his passion into a career, dedicating his time to helping others plan their dream Formula One trips. His favourite Grand Prix destinations are Austria and Austin, and when he's not attending a Formula One Grand Prix, you'll find him closer to home, walking or cycling in the Peak District National Park. |
