Imola is one of my favourite circuits on the 2001 calendar. With a nice selection of fast corners with humongous approach speeds to slow chicanes with difficult exits where the car teeters on the edge of a knife, the circuit provides an excellent challenge and I believe it also rewards drivers who can be ultra consistent lap after lap more than almost any other circuit.

This circuit in the north eastern suburbs of Imola in the provence of San Marino is unfortunately best known these days for being the place where Ayrton Senna tragically lost his life in 1994. That weekend also claimed Roland Ratzenberger and so nearly Rubens Barrichello also.

After that sad weekend, the circuit was changed forever with two new chicanes being added beyond the pit straight. Whilst some believe this has forever changed the enjoyment of the circuit, I do not. Both new chicanes offer unique challenges and are quite demanding. I love the new chicane at the Rettifilio (Villenueve) as the left handed entry is just so fast, with a critical downchange to fourth right on the apex to the left hander, then a quick turn across to apex on the right before a balancing act on the exit to squeeze the most from the car before the second gear Tosa.

The uphill section which leads to Piratella contains one of the most superb sections of track in the GP series of games, with the gentle undulations really making it feel like you are racing in a real car at Imola! I also love the Acqua Minerale, especially now it has been put back to its original form. Before 1996 the corner was spoilt by a silly and slow double chicane, but now it is the fast off camber double right it was in the 70s. Excellent!

This place has it all. Heaps of challenging off camber corners, lots of uphill and downhill braking and turn in points, places where the should be curbs but aren't and places where every lap a deap breath is required or heaps of time is sacrificed.

Imola is about balance and commitment...and strategy. With only 62 laps, and a fairly short pit entry and lane, a one stop strategy is always possible. Sacrifice lap times for 30 laps and stop once, or blitz the circuit on a two stopper and risk making a mistake trying to make up for the extra 24 seconds in the pits. Thats the dilemma facing all who will participate at Imola for the first time in the GPVWC.

I can't wait!