This is the first installment of our “Like Common People” series. Why? Because we had some lavish ideas about bringing you the exclusive coverage from inside the paddock. However, fate had other plans: in this day and age one has to be a TikToker who get their todger out on a regular basis in Instagrammable locations around the globe in order to deserve that distinguished honour. Or maybe sowing the seeds of wokeness on YouTube? Anyhoo, there’s fun to be had in the grandstands, surrounded by common people as the following article will clearly illustrate. – the Editor.

Ever since I remember it has always been a lifetime personal ambition to attend a Grand Prix weekend at Imola, and even more considering myself a lifetime passionate fan of Modenese car manufacturers. As American F1 presenter Bob Varsha once said when introducing the 1995 Italian Grand Prix; “even in Formula One, you have races and you have events.”

Finally, the 2024 F1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix would close the circle for this personal ambition of mine. Worth mentioning that last year I made the trip just to learn the race was being cancelled, because of extreme rain floods, just as my plane touched down at Bologna Marconi Airport. No heartbreak with that, I couldn’t think of a better place to spend four days and wander around than the Emilia Romagna.

Having been around this region for many years, and knowing how efficient the train lines between Modena and Imola are, my choice for a city to spend my time off the track was always clear. Ferrari aside, I love everything about Modena, beautiful city, perfect size, connected by elegant boulevards aligned by large trees and palaces. Needless to say, how much I love local cuisine, together with a glass of Lambrusco of course.

Having Bologna between both cities, and where most of the race spectators stay, every morning I grabbed the 07:45 am train bound for Imola. Once reaching Imola, around 09:00 am, you are amazed at how the circuit layout is pretty much part of the Imola city map, being the smooth flow Santerno river, the actual pattern to which the whole city and circuit layout from Rivazza to Tosa flows parallel to this peaceful river.

Imola, beautiful spring days, sun always shining bright, flowers everywhere; can you ask for anything more? During the 20 minute walk between the train station you cross through the very center of the medieval city, crossing the ancient protective city wall, and under the arch of the Citta d´Imola tower clock, and once crossing a very green, and pleasant residential area, you suddenly come into a bridge over a river, which marks the access to the Imola circuit, and while you present your access credentials you stand in seeing that only the river divides you from the legendary landmark of the Marlboro tower. Two chaps geared up with authentic Ferrari Marlboro Jean Alesi team caps stand next to me in line. Welcome to Mecca!

One great change Liberty made to the Grand Prix weekend schedule, is that nowadays having F1 sessions taking place during the afternoons this makes most of the crowd watch the whole event beginning with F3, then F2, and finally the main F1 dish to close the day. Having such deep motorsport roots in this region, most of the crowd enjoy so much watching the whole spectacle all day long.

Having such breathtaking views from my seat at the top of the hill at Rivazza, on Friday I remained in absolute climax enjoying such iconic views. Couldn’t ask for a better spot, seeing the cars thundering into Rivazza Uno, and then catching a short breath before Rivazza Due, and flat out through the main straight, all the way into Tamburello.

What grabbed my attention was how all cars, regardless of categories, line up before the exit of Rizazza in order to find a clear gap during their flying laps. What also grabbed my attention was how all teams, regardless of being F3, F2 or F1 have spotters at the top of the hill, speaking by radio with pit walls and drivers, in order to locate the best possible gap between cars in order to attempt their best possible flying lap.

With Imola being my first Grand Prix encounter of the year, I noted the noisiest exhaust notes are those of the F3 cars, and not those of F2, who used to be the noisiest, and who now have an artificial exhaust silencer to quiet down their mechanic symphony. No support category should ever make more noise than the mechanic symphony produced by F1 hybrids. I guess.

For Saturday and Sunday, I tried different viewing spots from different corners around the circuit, watched Saturday F2 race from Acque Minerali, and then sampled Sunday F3 race from Tamburello. For Sunday’s race I decided to watch the F1 race again from the hill at Rivazza. Next to me sat a local priest with a basket full of fresh fruit from his personal orchard it seemed, and which he very kindly offered me to sample.

Finally on Sunday walking out of the circuit, I couldn’t believe I was finally here for a Grand Prix, this awesome experience exceeded all my expectations. Special thanks to my friend Rodrigo Camacho, Ferrari GT engineer, who kindly got us access to the Scuderia Ferrari Club grandstand at the legendary Rivazza hill. What a priceless, and enriching Grand Prix experience!

Please now take a few moments to enjoy my photo gallery below. Peace out.

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