Imola Grand Prix organisers build extra grandstands despite huge storm

In about two weeks, Formula 1 will finally set foot on the European mainland. The Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at the Imola circuit will kick off the European part of the calendar. In the Italian village, they expect a huge turnout, despite the heavy rain storms currently ravaging the area.

At the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, or Imola circuit, preparations for the event are in full swing. Tickets for the Grand Prix are currently still available, many F1 fans have learned in recent days. If they had signed up for mailings from the official Formula 1 website, they received an email saying that tickets for the Grand Prix are being offered at a discount.

According to a spokesman for the circuit, this has nothing to do with potentially disappointing ticket sales. On the contrary, the organisers recently decided to increase the usual capacity (78,000). "We have installed 6 new grandstands bringing the capacity to 90,000," the spokesman told GPblog. "We are confident of having sold out on Sunday and a good result on Saturday too where fans will be able to see the new qualifying format live."

A new qualifying format will be tested in Imola. Currently qualifying still has a free tyre choice, but this is therefore going to change, at least in Italy. In Q1, drivers will have to qualify on the hard tyre, in Q2 they will have to qualify on the medium tyre and in Q3 they will have the soft tyre.

In recent days, the Emilia-Romagna region has been hit hard by a severe storm. In Imola, dozens of people had to be evacuated. There was also damage in Imola and the surrounding area. Yet fans need not fear that the Grand Prix will have to be cancelled in a fortnight's time. "Fortunately the storm didn't affect the racetrack and we were able to continue working to prepare for the event in the best possible way," the spokesman said.