The Safety Car has made eight appearances at Imola, with 2024 being the first race at the track since 2005 to not feature a Safety Car period. Here’s a list of every time that the Safety Car has been deployed at Imola.
1994 San Marino Grand Prix, Lap 1
JJ Lehto stalled on the grid at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. At the start, Pedro Lamy collided into the rear of the stalled car, leaving debris strewn across the track. Debris also encroached into the spectator area, injuring eight spectators. The incident led to only the fourth Safety Car deployment in Formula 1 history. Max Angelelli drove an Opel Vectra as the Safety Car in this race.
The Safety Car was deployed for five laps, after which Ayrton Senna suffered his fatal accident. The slow pace at which the cars had been travelling behind the Safety Car is believed to have been a contributing factor in the cause of Senna’s accident.
2006 San Marino Grand Prix, Lap 1
The first Safety Car deployment at Imola in 12 years came on the opening lap of the 2006 San Marino Grand Prix. Yuji Ide made contact with Christijan Albers, the Midland car barrel rolling as a result. Ide continued but retired on Lap 23.
Ide was reprimanded by the stewards for causing the incident. As a result of this incident and a number of other misdemeanours, Ide’s superlicense was revoked three weeks later.
2020 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Lap 30
The first VSC period at Imola came on the 30th lap of the 2020 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, when Esteban Ocon stopped trackside with gearbox issues.
2020 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Lap 51
A right rear puncture caused Max Verstappen to spin out into the gravel, leading to the deployment of the Safety Car. The Safety Car period was extended when George Russell – running tenth in the uncompetitive Williams – crashed on his own behind it.
2021 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Lap 1
Rejoining the circuit in damp conditions, Nicholas Latifi made contact with Nikita Mazepin on the opening lap of the 2021 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Latifi spun into the wall and crashed out, leading to a full Safety Car deployment.
2021 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Lap 32
In damp conditions, George Russell and Valtteri Bottas made contact leading to a spectacular crash. The Safety Car was out for three minutes before the red flag was shown to clear the incident.
2021 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Lap 34
Following the red flag period, the Safety Car led the drivers around to the grid at the restart of the 2021 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
2022 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Lap 1
Contact between Daniel Ricciardo and Carlos Sainz on the opening lap of the 2022 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix led to the deployment of the Safety Car. Sainz’s Ferrari was beached in the gravel following the incident.