San Marino Grand Prix Formula One Race

Formula One San Marino Grand Prix

The San Marino Grand Prix forms a part of the Formula One Championship. It has been held at the Autodromo e Dino Ferrari of Imola, Italy for several years. As there was already an Italian Grand Prix when it was established, it was named the San Marino Grand Prix. A number of thrilling races have been recorded during the San Marino Grand Prix, which draws large numbers of Formula One fans each year.

Imola proves to be the perfect setting for Formula One racing. For decades it has been surrounded by numerous racing car manufacturers such as Maserati, Ferrari and Lamborghini. San Marino hosted its first car race in 1954. Several years later in 1963 San Marino held a race with F1 vehicles. This non-championship race was won by Lotus' Jim Clark and set a precedent for things to come. By the year 1980 the Italian Grand Prix was transferred to Imola from Monza after an awful startline pile-up in 1978. This amazing Formula One race was won by Nelson Piquet. The Italian Grand Prix moved back to Monza in 1981. Imola thus decided to create its own race, namely the San Marino Grand Prix.

Unfortunately the history of the San Marino Grand Prix was marked by 3 large accidents in 1994. That year was sadly marred by the death of F1 legend Ayrton Senna as well as great driver Roland Ratzenberger. However, there have been many exciting events at the San Marino Grand Prix. One of the most notable was the duel between Didier Pironi and Gilles Villeneuve in 1982.

The San Marino Grand Prix runs for 62 laps around the 4.93 km circuit of Autodomo e Dino Ferrari. Thus the race totals 305.61 km. Michael Schumacher has won the San Marino Grand Prix in the following years: 2006, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2000,1999 and 1994. Fernando Alonso gained victory in 2005 and Ralf Schumacher took the lead in 2001.

The facilities at the San Marino Grand Prix have been criticized of late, with some suggesting that the race be removed from the F1 Championship calendar. Despite this, the San Marino Grand Prix is set to remain a part of the Championship until at least 2009.