Huge crowd for Ferrari
An extraordinary success, and a public record with 92,175 total attendances at the Enzo and Dino Ferrari International Racetrack, for the FIA WEC 6 Hours of Imola. Another organizational challenge passed with flying colors for the circuit and the city of Imola, which confirm themselves as an excellent stage for world Endurance, on the day of the victory of the Toyota Racing n.8 and the second step of the podium for the Ferrari AF Corse n.51 in the Hypercar category. A weekend that brought everyone together: spectacle on the track, many initiatives for fans in the Fan Zone, prestigious guests, such as Formula 1 star Kimi Antonelli who started the race, and a large turnout in the historic center of Imola, with many events and initiatives.
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A result to be combined with the thrilling queen class race with the continuous duel between the two Toyota TR010 Hybrids and the reigning world champion Ferrari 499P driven by the trio Calado-Giovinazzi-Pier Guidi. A challenge of nerves and strategies, with a few drops of rain making the contest even more adrenaline-fueled, which rewarded the No. 8 crew of the Japanese manufacturer formed by Sébastien Buemi–Brendon Hartley–Ryo Hirakawa who preceded the Maranello Red by just over 13 seconds. In third place, 41 seconds behind the winner, was the sister Toyota car No. 7 of the trio Conway-Kobayashi-De Vries. The Top 5 was completed by the Alpine Endurance Team No. 35 of Da Costa-Milesi-Habsburg and the BMW No. 20 of Frijns-Rast.
In the LMGT3 class, success for the BMW M4 No. 69 of McIntosh-Thompson-Harper (Team WRT) ahead of the Corvette Z06 No. 33 of McDonald-Edgar-Catsburg (TF Sport) and the Porsche 911 No. 92 of Shahin-Pera-Lietz (The Bend Manthey). In the support races, a second consecutive victory for Christian Albrecht (Front Row Racing) in the Legends of Le Mans and Theo Oeverhaus (ID Racing) in the Porsche Sixt Carrera Cup Deutschland.
Michele de Pascale (President of the Emilia-Romagna Region) and Roberta Frisoni (Regional Councillor for Tourism and Sport): “The FIA WEC 6 Hours of Imola 2026 concluded with extraordinary success, opening this year’s world championship calendar and placing the Enzo and Dino Ferrari International Racetrack at the center of the global motorsport scene. A result that confirms not only the organizational quality of the facility, which represents a reference hub for motorsport and a strategic regional asset, but also the international credibility of Emilia-Romagna, as a territorial system, in hosting major sporting events. The exceptional public response, increasingly broad and international, and the global visibility of the event clearly indicate the direction taken: investing in events of this level means strengthening a system that brings together sport, industry, tourism, and territorial promotion. The Motor Valley is not just an identity brand, but a concrete development model, capable of generating economic value, attractiveness, and opportunities for communities. It is on this model that the Region continues to work, consolidating its presence in major international circuits and supporting events that produce real benefits for the territories. Imola, on this occasion too, proves to be fully up to this role: a stable reference point in the European landscape and a strategic lever for the global positioning of Emilia-Romagna.”
Geronimo La Russa (President of the Automobile Club of Italy): “Imola confirms its position at the global forefront of motorsport, offering a unique mix of spectacle, emotion, and passion along a highly technical circuit for drivers, spurred on at every section of the track by the engaging cheers of thousands of jubilant fans.”
Fabio Bacchilega (President of the CON.AMI Consortium): “A beautiful sports festival for Imola, its Racetrack, and the entire consortium territory which, once again, have proven to deserve international stages like that of the FIA WEC 6 Hours of Imola 2026 for their organizational capabilities, hospitality offerings, quality of services offered to fans, usability of facilities, and variety of entertainment initiatives that have united the circuit with the beating heart of the city. Another challenge successfully overcome through that fruitful teamwork which has become a distinctive element in the Imola region to aim for excellence and compete with the most prestigious brands in world motorsport and our Motor Valley. The significant numbers related to weekend attendances only underscore the strategic value of the Racetrack, a resource in which CON.AMI has long invested to continue to seize opportunities arising from the sector, for the large-scale promotion of the entire territory. A significant result, to be shared with the Municipality of Imola, Formula Imola, and IF Imola Faenza Tourism Company, and a positive impetus for the continuation of a 2026 calendar rich in events.”
Pietro Benvenuti (Director of Formula Imola):“The FIA World Endurance Championship – 6 Hours of Imola concludes with extraordinary organizational success, once again confirming the role of the Enzo and Dino Ferrari International Racetrack as a benchmark in the international motorsport scene. We recorded record numbers, with a large and increasingly international public attendance, testifying to the growing attractiveness of the event and the territory. On the track, the level of spectacle was very high, with a hard-fought and engaging race for the public, who were able to enjoy a complete experience thanks to the success of the Fan Zone and the performance by DJ Martin Solveig. Imola once again proved to be an exceptional showcase for the territory and for the Motor Valley, confirming its ability to host global events with high organizational standards. I would like to thank the FIA WEC for the collaboration, all the staff of Formula Imola for the great work done, the Police Forces and the Municipal Administration, which with the events in the historic center contributed to strengthening the link between the Racetrack and the city, further enhancing the overall result of the event.”
