Still is. Current layout is much better than what they used for the 10 or so years after 1994 though. Restored the original long straight from Rivatza up to Tamburello like it was in the 50s-70s. Track still retained its character. They shortened the DRS zone quite a bit this year compared to 20-23, teams complained DRS was too powerful and they overdid it. They'll likely restore the longer DRS next year or eliminate the Villneuve chicane which has been debated recently.
@@ronmurray7349 Yes, I'm aware of the river that flows a bit beyond that part of the circuit -- But that doesn't make my statement any less true, with all due respect. Someone had to pay for that horrible weekend -- and it was the circuit itself -- and us fans, that remember the hairy-chested beast it used to be.
this track has no business hosting F1 races since 1995. The 95 to 06 version is even worse than the current one. Schumacher was 3 secs a lap faster than Alonso late in the 05 race and couldn't find a way past because there was not a single straight long enough for a non-drs pass.
Just one note: I didn't make this video to play down the impact of Roland Ratzenberger's and Ayrton Senna's fatal accidents. The calling for improving safety in Formula 1 was completely justifiable back then. Nevertheless, I personally feel it also caused a lot of hysteria in F1 community. And the Imola circuit fell a victim to that. Changes to Tamburello and Villeneuve corners removed the only real place for overtaking.
I wonder if they could bring back these corners as an alternative route? With modern safety standards it shouldn't be a problem? It would definitely bring back the charme and excitement of Imola
I agree. The track suffered the consequences. With today’s safety measures the original configuration would produce great racing in any form of racing, overtake and speed. The original configuration should be an option at Tamburello and Villenueve for other forms of races instead of being gravel traps.
@@lucienlinhart1695no the track lay-out stay like it is now I live next to Spa and the old Radion/aurouge was the most impressive corner in the world.the last 2/3 years they bring many changes under pressure of the FIA and the whole caracter is gone Just like Imola.saftey is going a bit to far
I appreciate this video. It's a completely different racing experience there. Very true that it eliminated the only real overtaking on the circuit. Tragic events that had nothing to do with the layout, but the layout paid the price and so did us fans. They should have had that wall lined with tyres/tech pro type barrier they use now.
With today's safety, Tamburello and Villeneuve corners could exist on its original form without the need of moving the walls further back. A SAFER Barrier could get the job done. However, the meaning of those corners after the 94' GP. Its crash history, especially in Tamburello with Piquet never fully recovering after crashing in 87', Berger almost died on a fire in 89', Alboreto got lucky of coming out unscratched after crashing at high speed on 91'. It is not worthy.
Because of the physical restrictions you point out, solutions to Tamburello were limited. But it is important to recognise this corner had a reputation; both Piquet and Berger had serious accidents here, in Piquet's case, life-changing (though he hid it at the time). It was appropriate that they slowed it down, even if the full throttle pull from the last corner all the way to Tosa was pretty wonderful.
Given they have corners this fast at Jedda with walls on either side why can't they put Tamburello back to the way it was. We might see a few overtakes
By modern F1 safety and car performance standards restoring Tamburello and Villneuve wouldn't be crazy, but the current layout with straight starting after rivatza (As it was 50+ years ago) clawed back a good amount of speed lost compared to the 95-06 config, which was the worst config Imola ever had. Cars are a lot bigger now but you don't have to have a ton of overtakes to appreciate the racing, much like how old school F1 races used to be fighting for many laps often not ending up in an overtake. We had very good races here in 20/21/22. The idiots at the FIA shortened the DRS this year cause teams complained it was too powerful. They'll likely restore the full DRS again next year. There's also been rumors of possibly removing Villneuve chicane, which would essentially add a second DRS/long curving straight between the fast Tamburello sweeper to the Tossa hairpin. Beautiful classic circuit either way with breathtaking scenery.
The 50s had all the best tracks. I would take their layouts over almost all the modern layouts. :-) I get that it needed to be done for safety but if they can run tracks like Jeddah surely that's no longer an argument.
Wow, now I can remember, watching this as a boy. They hunt down all the way and overtake at the end. Here you see real driving. What a shame, that this concrete wall has killed Senna and also the layout of Imola.
They said there was nothing to be done for safety because tamberello has a river behind it so the wall can't be moved back, but there was still a scrappy bit of tarmac that could've been a gravel trap and the concrete wall could've had tyres in front of it... Either of these things could've saved Senna's life. Together,definitely
Maybe maybe not, let's not forget the cause of Senna's death was a suspension part piercing his helmet, gravel traps back in the day were to slow cars down from heavy impact, tyre walls yes agreed, but no tyre tethers so the out some could of still been the same, just a freak accident unfortunately
If the steering column hadn’t failed he also wouldn’t have died. If the suspension rod hadn’t pierced his helmet he wouldn’t have died. So better engineering could’ve have prevented it as well as not having extremely bad luck.
Instead of changing the tracks constantly, they should look at the surroundings and the cars.. But it is so easy to add a chicane, and cheaper, so the victim is both drivers and spectators
I don't regret the loss of the Tamburello, as it was just a flat out corner with only one racing line and with no potential to make it safe because of the river. However, i do regret the loss of the Villeneuve corner, which was very a interesting feature in the run up to Tosa with multiple possible racing lines ...
You’re forgetting that Indycar races on ovals at higher speeds than were being taken through Tamburello. There’s no need for extra runoff with a SAFER barrier
@@chipattack912 True, but i see a safer barrier more as a possible solution for the Villeneuve corner. Personally i didn't like the old layout with the 2 chicanes between Rivazza and the old pit lane. I think the new 'kinky' straight between Rivazza and the Tamburello chicane is more exciting than the old layout of that section...
I dont know why Michael Schumacher had gulit pushing Senna so hard when Safety Car pulled off, 3:40 Hill was pushing him too. I guess its just survivors gulit
Don't need overtakes for it not to be boring. Max was on the edge with all those gravel traps to hold off Lando. Was incredible showing of driver skill by both. Besides, last 3 races there had many more overtakes but teams complained DRS was too powerful so they shortened the zone this year. They'll undo that change next year. If you think Imola weekend was boring, just wait for Monaco.
