Formula 1 | Imola, awarded three stars for environmental sustainability

Formula Imola has announced that the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari has obtained certification from the FIA ​​for the third environmental level, the highest obtainable. The Romagna circuit is thus among the first in the world to have achieved ISO 20121:2013 certification and now FIA Environmental Accreditation.

A result that rewards the Autodrome's strong environmental commitment, which has materialized above all through the creation of a noise monitoring and containment system, the provision of photovoltaic panels to support renewable energy needs, the planning of a series of activities concerning the management of waste production and the reduction of single-use plastic. This ambitious goal was achieved thanks to the total synergy between the Autodrome Department and the Environment Department of the Municipality of Imola, Formula Imola and Con.Ami.

The “Sustainable Autodrome” project includes initiatives for the active and passive mitigation of noise, for sustainable mobility to and from the autodrome with a free-flow bike sharing service and the installation of electric charging stations, plastic free actions with the installation of water dispensers in common areas (offices, press room) and the distribution of water bottles. Through synergy with the University of Bologna, a thesis has been developed that allows us to calculate the impacts of major events, which can be compensated thanks to the "A forest for the Autodromo" project: a forestation intervention within a strategy wider which allowed the Municipality of Imola to win the tender from the Ministry for the Ecological Transition. The forest will be created at the end of the year in a bend of the Santerno river crossed by the cycle path of the same name, near the racetrack, and will be equipped with illustrative panels that will explain the benefits of trees in absorbing CO2.

The certificate was delivered to the President of Formula Imola, Giancarlo Minardi, by the President of the FIA ​​Senate, Carmelo Sanz de Barros, representing the FIA ​​President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Present were the ACI President Angelo Sticchi Damiani, the Mayor of Imola Marco Panieri and the Autodromo Councilor Elena Penazzi.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem (FIA President): “The FIA ​​is pleased to recognize the strong commitment to the environment demonstrated by the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, one of the few circuits in Europe to achieve the highest FIA environmental standard with three stars. This is part of motor sport's global commitment to reduce environmental impact and pave the way for sustainable innovation. I congratulate everyone who made this achievement possible and wish them a successful Formula 1 Grand Prix.”

Gian Carlo Minardi (President of Formula Imola): “A result that fills us with satisfaction, the result of the collaboration with Luigi Di Matteo of the Technical Area of ​​the Automobile Club of Italy and the Municipality of Imola through the Imola Living Lab, a project created by the Autodromo Councillor, Elena Penazzi, and the Environment, Elisa Spada, with Prof. Valeria Vignali of the University of Bologna. Together we have undertaken a path that has led us to already have the recognition of one star for the F1 GP on 18 April 2021 and this year the third star, assigned for full compliance with the FIA ​​Sustainability Program project, which involves international racetracks and whose certification will be mandatory to host world races, including F1."

Angelo Sticchi Damiani (President of the Automobile Club of Italy): “For the racetrack and for Formula Imola this 2022 will remain an unforgettable season. After the confirmation of the presence until 2025 in the Formula 1 World Championship calendar, for which the Automobile Club of Italy successfully fought, and the sensational result in ticket sales, yet another international recognition arrives today for the 'autodrome. A result that rewards the extraordinary work of Gian Carlo Minardi and his entire team, the result of the great synergy with the territory and in particular with the Autodrome Department and the Environment Department of the Municipality of Imola, Formula Imola and Con.Ami”.

Marco Panieri (Mayor of Imola): “Our city's racetrack receiving the third FIA star for sustainability is a great source of pride for all of us. Because it indicates a very specific future direction, which we want to be able to build, and because it recognizes the work of a plant that has been able to adapt to the best practices in the world to reduce CO2 emissions, noise pollution and waste production , as well as working on energy self-sufficiency. Today we can strongly claim the Sustainable Autodromo Project, which began some time ago and which allows us to be one of only four circuits in the world to have this certification. Thanks to all those, Municipality employees but not only, partners and external bodies who have worked to achieve this historic goal of great hope for the city. In particular to the Councilor for the Autodromo Elena Penazzi, to the Councilor for Sustainability Elisa Spada, to Prof. Valeria Vignali for the scientific contribution to Luigi Di Matteo (ACI) for his professionalism. We want to continue along the path of valorising and relaunching the Autodrome structure because the path we have started is clearly positive. We can say that in the coming years the prospects of the circuit will return to the level of its history, for this I thank the governance of Formula Imola and Con.Ami".

Elena Penazzi and Elisa Spada (City Councilor of Imola): “Having achieved the maximum level of FIA environmental certification fills us with pride; To obtain the third FIA star, very high standards are required. The teamwork with the Autodrome and Unibo now continues, through constant research, both from the point of view of environmental sustainability, with the implementation of the photovoltaic system on the roof of the Autodrome, and with regard to further acoustic mitigation, which we are already studying in the areas most impacted by the activity of the racetrack."