Vallelunga Circuit – Autodromo Piero Taruffi Guide

Originally published December 2016. Last updated September 2026: added labelled circuit map (Wikimedia Commons, with attribution in caption)

Autodromo Vallelunga Piero Taruffi is a permanent racing circuit about 35 km north of Rome, operated by the Automobile Club d’Italia (ACI). It is one of Italy’s most modern national venues — and one of the few major tracks built over land that was already used for horse racing.

Vallelunga hosted non-championship Formula One races in the 1960s, later became a winter testing hub, and still welcomes World Superbike, GT championships, and Ferrari Challenge finals. An archaeological Roman road discovered during 2000s reconstruction sits beside the modern asphalt.

For Grand Prix history, compare Monza or Imola; Vallelunga’s story is national racing infrastructure, manufacturer test days, and ACI driver schools rather than a permanent F1 calendar slot.

Vallelunga circuit facts

Lap record note: Vallelunga runs multiple configurations and series. Compare lap times only within the same layout, tyre rules, and championship year.

Autodromo Vallelunga — international layout — Map: Gustavo Girardelli / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Autodromo built at horse racing venue

The circuit is located around 35 km north of the country’s capital Rome and has a long history. In 1951, Vallelunga was opened as a small dirt oval for motorsport events but before that it was the place for the horse races. The first car race was held in November and soon after motorbike races and also the motocross events were held.It instantly became very popular among the locals.

The year of 1957 was probably the turning point for the further development of Vallelunga. The Automobile Club of Rome and the Italian Motorcycle Federation funded the reconstruction and development of the venue. The project was launched by the renowned racing champion and automotive engineer Piero Taruffi. In December, the first official race was held (Esso 6 hours) at a small 1.75 km long circuit.

Opening of the new track

The following year the first Racing School in Italy was opened, led by some famous names like Nino Farina and Luigi Musso. The tiny circuit quickly became too small to meet all demands of growing popularity of the motorsport. In 1961, the decision was made to double the track length. In April of 1963, the new 3.222 long circuit was opened and instantly Vallelunga became an important venue at the national and international level, especially after Formula 1 non-championship race the Grand Prix of Rome.

The start of the Rome Grand Prix in 1963

Development and modernization

In 1967, the Italian Automobile Club became the owner of Vallelunga. Further development of the circuit was done from 1970 to 1971 when the service facilities were reconstructed. New paddock, garages, and grandstand with a capacity of 10.000 were built, Armco barriers were added around the track, as well as the run-off areas, while the driving direction was reversed from counter-clockwise to clockwise direction.

Motorbike races were very popular at Vallelunga in 1980s

When the works were finished, Vallelunga became a modern racing spot suitable for the top international events including all formula racing categories, as well as the endurance races and motorcycle races. Also, many famous teams and manufacturers of that time chose Vallelunga as a perfect place for testing.

Changeable fortune of the Vallelunga

In the late 1970s, motorbike races took the primacy at Vallelunga but car racing events were still very popular. In the next two decades, Vallelunga was the host of various racing series and every race was well-attended. The sold-out 1999 Ferrari finals deserve a special mention because it turned out to be an amazing spectacle.

Italian Prototypes Championship race at Vallelunga

Unfortunately, in the early 2000s, the number of spectators declined and many series like ELMS and Formula Renault left Vallelunga. However, that was a signal to the owner that something has to be done. In 2004, development of the circuit has begun. The track was extended to a total length of 4.085 km with 15 turns.

With the new configuration of the track, the FIA approved Vallelunga for Formula 1 testing. The track was especially used for testing during the wintertime by many different categories, like WTCC or Le Mans Series.

Vallelunga is suitable for many motorsport and non-racing activities

Two dirt tracks were also built while the circuit was covered with CCTV cameras. The new office building with 15 large boxes, boardrooms, and a convention room was opened in 2005. The new fully equipped medical center was built, as well as the new race control tower and press office. Finally, Vallelunga circuit became the most modern motorsport venue in Italy.

Autodromo Vallelunga is also perfect destination for winter testing

In 2007, some major competitions were ready to return. Vallelunga hosted the World Superbike Championship races but still waited for some reputable international car racing series. In 2010, another development was done by the opening of Congress Center Vallelunga which made this venue a multi-purpose complex, able to host not only motorsport events but also meetings and training activities.

Vallelunga Congress Center

Vallelunga also offers the Safe Driving Center, Off-road, and Adventure area entertainment, and also has its own hotel and a restaurant. Another important fact is that since 2011 the entire business hub of Vallelunga is powered by solar energy. Vallelunga is also an archeological site. During the 2001 reconstruction, a paved ancient Roman road was found lying by the Cimini curve.

Getting to Vallelunga

The nearest airport is the Rome’s Fiumicino (Leonardo da Vinci), around 50 minutes drive to the south from Vallelunga. The circuit is near the town of Campagnano di Roma, a short distance from the SR2 highway.

The accommodation surely won’t be a problem considering a proximity of Rome but you can go to small hotels in the town or you can go to the Vallelunga Park Hotel at the circuit.

The accommodation surely won’t be a problem considering the proximity of Rome, but visitors can also stay at the Vallelunga Park Hotel on site or in Campagnano di Roma.

Vallelunga Park Hotel

Address: Via della Mola Maggiorana, 4/6, 00063 Campagnano di Roma, RM, Italy. Phone: +39 06 901 5501. Website: vallelunga.it

Fast facts about Vallelunga

• Opened as a dirt oval for motorsport in 1951.
• Named for racing driver and engineer Piero Taruffi.
• ACI has owned the circuit since 1967.
• The 4.085 km layout dates from the 2004 extension.
• Racing direction changed to clockwise in 1971.
• Hosted World Superbike from 2007.
• FIA-approved for Formula One winter testing after the 2004 rebuild.
• Congress Centre Vallelunga opened in 2010.
• Site runs partly on solar power since 2011.
• Ancient Roman paving was found during reconstruction.

Vallelunga fills Rome’s testing and school role

Italy’s world-championship story lives at Monza and Imola, but Vallelunga keeps national championships, manufacturer shakedowns, and ACI training on one modern campus north of the capital.

Related reading

• Monza Circuit — Italian Grand Prix guide
• Imola Circuit — San Marino Grand Prix history
• Circuito del Jarama — Spanish circuit guide
• Mugello Circuit — Tuscan track guide
• Norisring — German street circuit guide
• Goodwood Circuit — British motorsport heritage