APR 19-21

The Best Viewpoints at Imola

imola-racetrack

We’re going to delve into the best viewpoints of Imola to help you decide where to see the World Endurance Championship (WEC). A good view is essential to help you enjoy the race.

The key viewpoints are:

  • Partenza 2, 3 and 4
  • Tosa 1
  • Acque Minerali 1, 2 and 3
  • Rivazza 2
  • Rivazza 1 & Prato Rivazza

Ready, set? Let’s go!

Jump to the section.

Where is Imola?

The Imola racetrack is in the northern Italian city of Imola, located on the river Santerno in the Emilia-Romagna region. Around 20 miles southeast of Bologna, there’s a rich cultural heritage here, as well as stunning landscapes. Expect to see exquisite architecture and monuments plotted in and around the region.

How Do I Get to Imola?

You can get to Imola by using the following transport links:

  • Airport: Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ)
  • Train Station: Trenitalia Spa (20 minutes train journey from Bologna)
  • Roads: E45 toll road from Bologna city center (around one hour drive with your Hertz car rental).

Imola, Italy, Laderchi street. Typical street in the center of the old town.; Shutterstock ID 1213126738; purchase_order: ; job: 1287385; client: Hertz US; other: Marina

What Races is Imola Used For?

As well as the FIA WEC 6 Hours of Imola, the circuit hosts races across multiple motorsport categories, these include:

  • Formula One.
  • Italian Grand Prix (1980)
  • San Marino Grand Prix (1981–2006)
  • Emilia Romagna Grand Prix (2020–2022, 2024)
  • ELMS 4 Hours of Imola. (2013–2016, 2022, 2024)
  • Ferrari Challenge Finali Mondiali (2022, 2024)As well as the FIA WEC 6 Hours of Imola, the circuit hosts races across multiple motorsport categories, these include:
  • Formula One.
  • Italian Grand Prix (1980)
  • San Marino Grand Prix (1981–2006)
  • Emilia Romagna Grand Prix (2020–2022, 2024)
  • ELMS 4 Hours of Imola. (2013–2016, 2022, 2024)
  • Ferrari Challenge Finali Mondiali (2022, 2024)

Where Are the Best Places to Watch the Action at Imola?

Now let’s look at the main grandstands, and what you can expect to see from there.

This section covers the start/finish line, grid, and the pits. These grandstands have numbered seating with partial cover in the higher rows, however these seats don’t have backrests. An advantage of sitting here is that you’re in the thick of the action. You’ll get a real feel of the atmosphere here, with a close-up of the ceremony afterward.

The cars reach top speeds along this straight, picking up DRS, with plenty of overtaking expected. There’s a place for refreshments just behind the grandstand in case you need to refuel yourself!

This grandstand covers turns five, six, seven, and eight, and has open-air seating with no backrest. The seating is numbered, however. Turn seven is a tight corner, a potential overtaking chance for daring drivers. Drivers will put pedal to the metal from the chicane towards the braking zone at turn seven, before accelerating towards turns eight and nine. 

Covering turns 11, 12 and 13 (also called the Acque Minerali), this grandstand includes numbered seating without backrests or covering. Grandstands Acque Minerali one, two and three sit on the inside of the circuit near the track’s public roads and park. Cars must deal with oversteering on turns 12 and 13 with acceleration accumulating on the pacey final section of the lap.

This grandstand covers turns 16, 17, and 18, and offers open-air, numbered seating, however, there are no backrests. Overlooking the penultimate corner of the track, you can expect to see heavy braking on the first Rivazza corner. That doesn’t mean a sacrifice of speed though. Track limits are often imposed at the exit of the first turn, so drivers will be pushing to make up as much time as possible here.

Similar to Rivazza 2, this grandstand covers turns 16, 17, and 18, with open-air, numbered seating, without backrests. This spot is a unique place to view the action. In name, it’s a grandstand, but in reality, you’ll find a grass verge installed on the front rows. Rivazza 1 will see the cars exit the second Rivazza and build up speed as they approach the finish line. Rivazza 2 can see cars go into the pit lane, or venture on towards the start/finish line.

Let’s Go!

There you have it, we’ve reached the finish line. With a range of viewing experiences available on Partenza 2, 3 and 4, Tosa 1, Acque Minerali 1, 2 and 3, Rivazza 2, and Rivazza 1 & Prato Rivazza, there are plenty of viewpoints. Fans of the World Endurance Championship (WEC) can see Hertz Team Jota compete for a podium finish in what looks set to be a memorable race weekend.

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