4 Hours of Imola 2026: the European Le Mans Series returns to the Enzo e Dino Ferrari Circuit
From the grandstands of the Imola Circuit I watch the show with admiration and ask myself an almost naive question: “How on earth do they avoid hitting each other?”. I see the cars flash past at breakneck speed, yet glued to the asphalt with a nonchalance that defies the laws of physics. For newcomers to the discipline, the European Le Mans Series at Imola, also known as the 4 Hours of Imola, is one round of a European championship that travels across the continent’s most beautiful tracks. It is not a race of pure speed, but a true test of endurance.
The cars battling it out on track aim to raise the bar and compete at the highest level, with their sights set on the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, one of the pinnacles of world endurance racing. The 2026 ELMS round at Imola, the only Italian round on the calendar, is scheduled for 4 and 5 July 2026.
The 4 Hours of Imola: how the endurance race works
Now to the competition itself. It is a prestigious endurance race in which four classes of cars battle on track: LMP2, LMP2 Pro/Am, LMP3 (racing prototypes) and LMGT3 (Gran Turismo cars). Unlike a classic Formula 1 race, where the winner is whoever crosses the line after a fixed number of laps, here the goal is to cover the greatest possible distance within a time limit of 4 hours.
Watching the drivers do battle along the 4,909 metres of track is an incredible experience. Let’s be honest: the Enzo e Dino Ferrari International Circuit is no walk in the park, but one of the most technical circuits in existence. Unlike many modern tracks, designed with wide paved run-off areas, Imola keeps a layout that follows the natural undulations of the terrain.
It is a track with an old-school flavour, “old style”, with many elevation changes and blind corners that demand great experience from whoever is behind the wheel. Born among the hills of Romagna, it is anything but an ordinary circuit: beautifully set in the nature of the Parco delle Acque Minerali, it follows the park’s contours and treats spectators to a unique show throughout the race.
Behind the scenes: Pit Lane Walk, Grid Walk and autograph session
But there is more to it than the competition: there is a behind-the-scenes world waiting to be discovered. The Pit Lane Walk is a chance to see the cars and the teams at work in the garages up close, while the Grid Walk lets you experience the thrill of the start right from the grid, with a unique perspective just before lights out.
After watching such a gripping race, it is only natural to want to shake hands with those who, with so much courage, manage to tame these machines. The organisers have thought of that too and included a meeting with the drivers in the day’s programme: the eagerly awaited autograph session.
Where to stay near Imola during the 4 Hours of Imola 2026
Will you be at the 4 Hours of Imola 2026 and are you looking for a place to stay? The 4 Hours of Imola weekend is an event that draws thousands of fans from all over the world. The adrenaline of the Enzo e Dino Ferrari International Circuit is contagious, but after a day spent amid the roar of the engines you need the right place to recharge.
Imola and its surroundings offer a range of options for every kind of visitor: hotels in the town centre for those who want to soak up the city atmosphere; B&Bs and guesthouses, more intimate and often family-run; and welcoming farm stays immersed in greenery.
Looking for a place to stay near Imola? Stop searching and come experience the difference with us, at Podere Zampiera Vecchia in Imola: here you will find an atmosphere that mirrors the wholesome, genuine beauty of the Romagna countryside and will guarantee you a proper rest.
Book your stay at Podere Zampiera Vecchia now
Read also: Events in Imola 2026 · Imola di Mercoledì 2026
