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A Tale of Two Enzos in Mr. Mateschitz's Neighborhood

In the Tilke era of artificially produced tracks, with venues thin on motor racing history, Imola stands out as one of the last treasures on the Formula One calendar. Holding the first European event and being just minutes away from Ferrari's Vatican, few Grands Prix offer as much ambiance for fans and journalists alike as San Marino. Thomas O'Keefe paid a visit to the F1 paddock just when Red Bull Racing redefined the meaning of 'motorhome'; watched the race at McLaren just as Kimi Raikkonen stormed in, helmet still on; and watched the usual suspects go about their Formula One lives

It is fashionable to complain about the Tilke Takeover of Formula One tracks and there is indeed an element of bland sameness to the new venues that makes me treasure all the more coming to Imola and Italy, a real old-fashioned track and a place locked in time that exudes European charm.

It is the atmosphere at Imola that makes it so special - the presence of the enthusiastic Tifosi and its close proximity to Ferrari's factory in Maranello and to Minardi's factory in Faenza, which make it the Oxfordshire of Italy; the tall stands of trees and the winding Santerno river that confine, define, enliven and embrace the track; the fabulous kerbs that make slaloming through the chicanes the best kerb-riding display of the season; and, of course, the tragedy that haunts the place at Tamburello with Ayrton Senna's statue and the flowers and the tributes as tangible reminders - all of which coalesce to make it one of the most evocative stops on the Grand Prix tour.

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