| Imola is the spiritual home
of not motorsports. Not only for Italy, but for the
world. Ferrari treat this track very much as one of the
most important of the season. In 1996 Schumacher achieved
what seemed to be the impossible - he qualified on pole
position in his recalcitrant Ferrari. Historically the circuit is
associated with great deeds and great tragedies. The most
haunting memory of the circuit that most people will have
is the death of Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger in
1994.
|
|
Race
Day : April 27th 1997
Circuit
Length: 4.892 kilometres/3.041 miles
GMT
+2 hours
Friday
Practice: 11.00-12.00 and 13.00-14.00
Saturday Practice: 09.00-09.45 and
10.15-11.00
Saturday Qualifying: 13.00-14.00
Sunday
Warm-Up: 09.30-10.00
SAN MARINO GRAND PRIX: 14.00 ... 63 Laps,
308kilometres, 192miles
| Lap
Record |
Damon Hill |
1m28.931s/198.032
kph |
Winners: |
|
|
| 1996 |
Damon Hill |
Williams |
| 1995 |
Damon Hill |
Williams |
| 1994 |
Michael
Schumacher |
Benetton |
| 1993 |
Alain Prost |
Williams |
| 1992 |
Nigel Mansell |
Williams |
| 1991 |
Ayrton Senna |
McLaren |
| 1990 |
Ricardo Patrese |
Williams |
| |
|
|
In 1994, Formula One suffered
one of its greatest shocks of the modern era when two
drivers died at Imola. One, an acknowledged master of
the sport, the other a young Austrian looking to make
his mark. Both were a tragic loss and the
repercussion of this are still being felt.
Following
on from this dark weekend, Imola introduced a number
of changes to the circuit to make it safer. The
infamous Tamburello was one which needed the most
work, but which many feel has also suffered hugely. A
fast, exciting corner in its past, it had a chicane
placed in the middle to slow the cars. It ruined a
great if infamous corner, but it's hard to argue in
the face of mounting pressure for safety.
No longer
a thrilling power circuit, this track lives largely
off the near frenzied support of the Italian
motorsports fans. Power matters less now, but the
circuit is still often a host to some of the most
exciting races.
1997 Championship Contents 
Formula 1 Contents
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