Formula 1: Top five unforgettable moments from Emilia Romagna Grand Prix

The Imola GP made a return to the F1 calendar in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix held at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, Italy, has seen its fair share of memorable moments throughout its history. The 2023 Emilia Romagna GP also witnessed a bit of drama and hustle as we saw the Red Bulls dominate. Here are five of the most remarkable moments from the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix:

Honourable inclusion

The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix 2023, scheduled to be held on May 21 at Imola was called off due to torrential rain and heavy flooding in the region leading to serious devastation and landsliding across Northern Italy. Notorious for being a wet race, the Imola has been canceled for the 2023 season after the sport confirmed in a statement that the event would not be able to be held safely on the weekend and that it was "the right and responsible thing to do given the situation faced by the towns and cities in the region."

At least eight people have died and thousands have been left homeless by deadly storms across the region.

5. Lewis Hamilton vs Max Verstappen (2021)

The 2021 Formula 1 season was a season for the ages in the eyes of many fans as everyone found a new World Champion in Max Verstappen. The 2021 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix saw crazy weather as it turned out to be a wet race. The second race of the 2021 season had the seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton start the race from the pole in wet conditions, with Verstappen starting in third.

The Red Bull driver, known for his expertise in wet conditions, was able to snatch the initiative from Hamilton at the start of the race as he jumped from third to first before turn 1. What followed was an epic tussle in wet weather between the two as both drivers exchanged the fastest laps. The battle had an anti-climactic end, as the Red Bull driver ensured an easy win at the last stage, announcing the start of his era in style.

4. Fernando Alonso vs Michael Schumacher (2005)

2005 saw Ferrari stumble for the first time in five seasons as the team’s star driver Michael Schumacher, starting the race from 13th, made his way through the field and was running more than a second a lap faster than Renault's Fernando Alonso. But after the second round of pit stops, Schumacher found himself right behind Alonso, battling for the lead.

The Ferrari driver had 12 laps in hand to pass the Renault driver. As it turned out, Alonso put together a display of clinically defensive driving, holding off the Ferrari for 12 laps to win the race. In the coming year, everyone witnessed the same battle for the pole again but this time the results were in the favour of the Ferrari star, Michael Schumacher.

3. Michael Schumacher's first pole in a Ferrari (1996)

German driver Michael Schumacher had just started with Ferrari and who knew in 1996 that he would go on to become one of the most dominant F1 drivers of the era. The 1996 Italian GP saw Schumacher fly around the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari to take his first pole position for the Scuderia in front of the delighted Tifosi.

In fact, Schumacher had pushed so hard that the car's suspension failed upon completing the lap. With that flow, a win was expected but it did not follow through as one of the brake’s discs expelled and locked his right front tyre, which forced him to a struggling finish but he won over the hearts of the Ferrari fans at their home by securing the 2nd position.

2. A tragic end (1994)

The 1994 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix will always be remembered as a tragic event in Formula 1 history as on the seventh lap, Ayrton Senna, one of the greatest drivers of all time, tragically lost his life in a high-speed crash at the Tamburello corner as his car went out of control leading to deadly smack on the unprotected concrete barrier across the track.

The incident led to significant safety improvements in Formula 1, making it a turning point for the sport for the coming years.

1. Ayrton Senna's Masterclass (1991)

The 1991 Emilia GP is often remembered for Ayrton Senna's exceptional performance in treacherous wet conditions. Having started, Senna showcased his exceptional skill and bravery, lapping the entire field up to second place in the first six laps.

His remarkable display of car control and speed on a rain-soaked circuit solidified his status as a legendary driver which can never be forgotten.

After a 14-year absence from the Formula 1 calendar, Emilia Romagna Grand Prix made a welcome return as a replacement for several races canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix marked a significant moment, showcasing the resilience of the sport during challenging times as It provided thrilling racing action and brought back nostalgic memories of the historic circuit for fans worldwide. And for now, it has extended its contract to host F1 races till 2025 at least.