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Nineteen curves, 10 on the left and 9 on the right, 4,909 km to be covered in 63 laps for a total of 309,049 km. Curves and straights that have made the history of motoring. Formula 1 returns to the “Enzo e Dino Ferrari” racetrack in Imola from 17 to 19 May with the Formula 1 MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Made in Italy and Emilia-Romagna.
After the cancellation of the 2023 edition due to the flood that hit the region hard, the great circus stops again in Emilia-Romagna with the seventh round of the 2024 World Championship, the first European event this year. This morning in the Region, in Bologna, the presentation of one of the flagship events of the sporting calendar in Emilia-Romagna.
Over 200 thousand spectators are expected for the weekend dedicated to motors and speed. The Formula 1 Grand Prix, in fact, is one of the levers of economic growth in the area. This is demonstrated by the data relating to the last edition played, that of 2022, which created a turnover of 274 million and 167 thousand euros (Source JFC).
The program
The Grand Prix program includes Friday two free practice sessions from 1.30pm to 2.30pm and from 5pm to 6pm.
The Saturday the third free practice session from 12.30 to 1.30 pm followed by qualifying from 4 to 5 pm.
Sunday The GP is scheduled to start at 3pm. In addition to Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3 and Porsche Supercup will be on track.
The numbers of the “Motor Valley”
The international “Motor Valley” of Emilia-Romagna, the numbers say so.
The automotive supply chain has, in its manufacturing component (manufacturing of motor vehicles, trailers, semi-trailers and other means of transport), approximately 800 companies, 1,200 local units and 25 thousand employees, for a turnover achieved in 2022 of over 15 billion euros (equal to 13.5% of the national supply chain) and an export of 10.9 billion euros (18% of the national supply chain).
Also including the commercial component, the extended supply chain is made up of 11.6 thousand companies, 15 thousand local units and almost 62 thousand employees, for a total turnover of over 24 billion euros.
And again: 188 sports teams, 13 specialized museums, 18 private collections, 4 racetracks and 11 karting tracks. An economic and work but also cultural heritage. Prestigious brands, famous throughout the world; great champions of two and four wheels; unique talents and professionalism; companies and start-ups that look to the future and invest in research, innovation and sustainability. Up to the six international degree courses of MUNER, the Motorvehicle University of Emilia-Romagna, a unique reality, desired by the Region together with the four Emilia-Romagna universities and all the largest motor manufacturers in the area, which brings here students from every Village.
And then the Clust-ER Mech which brings together research centers and companies active in the automotive and mechatronics sectors to boost the competitiveness of the entire supply chain. And many trade fairs and events of international scope: Autopromotec, E-Tech Europe, Futurmotive in Bologna. And the Motor Valley Fest, the large open-air fair of the Emilia-Romagna motoring region, which ended on May 5th.
It is also a tourist product: the total visitors to museums and collections, together with the spectators of the events taking place in the Emilia-Romagna racetracks, exceed 2 million visitors. The economic impact deriving from the tourist and excursion movement exceeds 300 million euros in related activities.
Emilia-Romagna, a year of great sport
Emilia-Romagna confirms itself as a land of great sporting events. The Formula 1 MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Made in Italy and Emilia-Romagna is, in fact, one of over 100 events that will be hosted in the region. 2024 will be the year of the Tour de France for Emilia-Romagna, with the three stages Florence-Rimini, Cesenatico-Bologna and Piacenza-Turin, between 29 June and 1 July.
The Tour of Italy the men’s race will stop on May 17th with the Riccione (Rn)-Cento (Fe) and then in July it’s the turn of the women’s Giro d’Italia, on the 9th with the Sabbioneta (MN) – Toano (Re) stage and on the 10th with the Imola ( Bo) -Urbino (Pu).
Among the new features of 2024 are the Italian Golf Open in Cervia (from 27 to 30 June), in the heart of Romagna hit by the flood in 2023; football with the national team on 4 June at the Dall’Ara in Bologna, eleven days after the debut at Euro 2024, the World Figure Skating Championships in Rimini from 2 to 14 September.
Among the confirmations are the Davis Cup, for the third consecutive year at the Unipol Arena in Casalecchio di Reno (Bo) from 9 to 15 September; the Moto GP San Marino and Riviera di Rimini Grand Prix in Misano (6-8 September) and the World Superbike round, again at the Marco Simoncelli circuit, (14-16 June).
And again in the Parma area, in Busseto, the Special Olympic Games will be held on 7-9 June, while the Paravolley Silver Nations League is scheduled for September.
Finally, to remember, again at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, the European Le Mans Series will take place from 5 to 7 July and the Ferrari World Finals from 16 to 20 October.
