- 30 Sep 08, 22:01#69177
I was looking at the layout of Imola only the other day. In order to have new VIP facilities etc. to please Ecclestone and get Formula One back to the circuit, the Variante Bassa has been removed. Now there is is just a slight kink from Rivazza to the pit straight. It's shame really, for a good corner at which you could win or lose pole position has been removed. Even after the 1994 modifications, I still loved Imola, but in the last couple of years, they've gradually been desecrating it. The challenging Variante Alta has been dumbed down and now this.

Ayrton Senna: WDC 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991
McLaren: WCC 1974, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2007
McLaren: WDC 1974, 1976, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2008
That looks a good circuit.
It's too bumpy for F1 (could be resurfaced), and like I said nowhere near enough hotels etc but the layout is fantastic and the pits rival Homestead and Daytona. Here is a video of a lap there (not my video). He got a great start (PCA does a rolling formation start), but probably never been on that track before, his line is horrible in some corners. Still, it shows the track pretty well. Fun track to drive.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDgIqdnw2Jo
I see what you mean about the guys driving, and more importantly, the bumps. It's a pity how Formula One works these days. Good quality racing is being sacrificed for nice glass-fronted pit lanes and the like.
I would have to agree with that. It seems that they are at least giving some thought to the attempt to bring back some real racing rather than nose to tail follow the leader. At least some effort has been made in that direction the last few years. With that said, there is even more effort going into corporate image crap that you mention. A shame really...
I was looking at the layout of Imola only the other day. In order to have new VIP facilities etc. to please Ecclestone and get Formula One back to the circuit, the Variante Bassa has been removed. Now there is is just a slight kink from Rivazza to the pit straight. It's shame really, for a good corner at which you could win or lose pole position has been removed. Even after the 1994 modifications, I still loved Imola, but in the last couple of years, they've gradually been desecrating it. The challenging Variante Alta has been dumbed down and now this.


Ayrton Senna: WDC 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991
McLaren: WCC 1974, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2007
McLaren: WDC 1974, 1976, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2008