Quick Read
- The 1985 San Marino Grand Prix saw Ferrari driver Michele Alboreto set the fastest lap despite technical issues.
- The Ferrari 156/85 Alboreto drove will be featured at Australia’s Phillip Island Penrite 100 Classic in March 2026.
- San Marino’s U16 basketball team is set to compete in the European U16 C Division Championship in Yerevan, Armenia, in July 2026.
- The team is placed in Group A alongside Kosovo, Albania, and Moldova.
SAN MARINO (Azat TV) – The microstate of San Marino finds itself in the spotlight of international sports news for 2026, featuring prominently in both historical reflections on Formula 1 and upcoming youth basketball championships. While geographically small, San Marino’s enduring, albeit varied, presence in global athletic competitions highlights its continued engagement on the world stage.
San Marino Grand Prix: A Glimpse into Ferrari’s Past
The famed San Marino Grand Prix, historically held at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, Italy, serves as a significant marker in Formula 1 history. One notable event from the 1985 season involved the Ferrari 156/85, chassis 079, driven by Michele Alboreto. During the third round of the championship, Alboreto was running second when electrical issues forced him into the pits for service. Despite the setback, he returned to the track with fresh tires and demonstrated the car’s potential by setting the fastest lap of the race, ultimately finishing sixth.
This particular Ferrari 156/85, one of the ‘turbo F1 twins’ now under the custodianship of Guido Belgiorno-Nettis, will be a perpetual crowd-pleaser at the upcoming Phillip Island Penrite 100 Classic in Australia. The event, scheduled for March 13-15, 2026, will showcase a wide array of motorsport vehicles, drawing attention to iconic machines like this Ferrari, which claimed second place in the 1985 Constructors’ Championship for the Maranello marque. The 1985 model was also notable as the first Ferrari F1 car to be designed entirely using CAD/CAM software, weighing 548kg, approximately 220kg lighter than the 2026-spec F1 machines.
Upcoming Youth Basketball Championship in Yerevan
Looking to the present and immediate future, San Marino’s U16 basketball team is preparing to compete in the European U16 C Division Championship. This tournament is set to be hosted in Yerevan, Armenia, from July 4 to 12, 2026. San Marino has been placed in Group A, alongside national teams from Kosovo, Albania, and Moldova, according to the group draw held on February 5.
The Armenian Basketball Federation confirmed that Azerbaijan’s U16 team will not participate in the championship, despite high-level security assurances provided by Armenia to FIBA Europe. Secretary General Artur Nazaryan noted to Factor.am that the withdrawal was ‘somewhat foreseeable,’ citing previous instances where parents’ concerns influenced participation decisions for youth teams. This marks a continuation of Azerbaijan’s absence from youth tournaments in Yerevan, following their U20 team’s non-participation in the European B Division Championship in the summer of 2025. San Marino’s presence, meanwhile, ensures its continued representation in European youth sports.
San Marino’s varied engagements across both historical motorsport events and contemporary youth basketball tournaments underscore its consistent, albeit modest, participation in the global sporting landscape. These appearances, whether as a backdrop for past triumphs or a competitor in future contests, maintain its visibility within the international athletic community.