Formula One preview: Emilia Romangna Grand Prix

Rohan Brown
5 hours ago
5 min read

Written by Rohan Brown, Edited by Aaron Carroll

Credit - Ferrari | 2024 Emilia Romangna Grand Prix at Imola

Formula One returns to the iconic Imola circuit for the seventh round of the season, the first of two stops in Italy. Home heroes Ferrari and Andrea Kimi Antonelli will be hoping for strong results this weekend, with the Scuderia’s headquarters being closer to the Imola than Monza and the Mercedes driver’s first home race in F1.

Last year’s race was characterised by the close conclusion to Sunday’s Grand Prix. Max Verstappen clinched victory by just seven tenths to championship rival Lando Norris, and this year is set to have more edge-of-your-seat action too.

The circuit

With a length of 4.909 kilometres [3.05 miles], and one DRS zone - Imola is not the easiest track for overtaking. This is especially exemplified by the winner of 11 grands prix here starting from pole. So this means the drivers will have to think out of the box in order to pass others cleanly.

However, it is still possible to overtake here and achieve a higher position, such as in the 1991 grand prix, where rookie driver Mika Häkkinen went from 25th to fifth place.

Additionally, Imola has been characterised by the extensive amount of track limit violations in previous years. In 2020 there were 60 violations in free practice one alone, with 38 of them being at turn 15 (the second part of the ‘Variante Alta’ chicane).

Changes made in 2024 such as removing the asphalt runoffs on the exits of turns such as nine and 15 did improve the issue, with only 17 violations occurring last year during qualifying and the race. But track limits remain a factor for the drivers to push to the limit.

Storylines:

1) Can Ferrari achieve an improved result in front of their home fans?

This season has not been the one the Tifosi have wanted so far, as their best result has been a singular podium for Charles Leclerc in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Therefore, Imola could be the perfect location for a better result, especially if they were able to secure a double podium finish in front of the passionate Tifosi fans. Possible, but considering the dominance of McLaren, it will be a tall order for sure.

2) Which McLaren driver will be leading the drivers’ championship after Sunday’s race?

We’ve seen the drivers’ championship lead change multiple times so far, with both Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris pushing the very fast McLaren car to its limits, So far it seems to be Piastri who is carrying the momentum into this weekend, but with how this season has gone so far, we could certainly see a controlled victory from either driver.

3) How will Franco Colapinto perform in his first Grand Prix with Alpine?

Colapinto returns to the F1 grid for the first time since Abu Dhabi 2024, however in different circumstances. The team he is now at, Alpine, has not had the best season so far, finding themselves in ninth place in the constructors standings. Their former team principal Oliver Oakes left the team and was replaced with Flavio Briatore.

Colapinto could certainly establish a reputation for being a consistent points scorer at the French team if he can extract the most out of the car, but the more uncertain circumstances means it will be a tall order.

4) How will Andrea Kimi Antonelli perform in his first ever home Grand Prix?

Antonelli has had a great start to his first season in F1, producing many outstanding results whilst remaining competitive against his experienced teammate George Russell. As he approaches his first home race this could be an amazing opportunity to add another strong points finish to his record so far in the season.

5) Could we have an unexpected result from this week’s race?

One thing that can be taken from this season so far, a team such as Mercedes could challenge if they can execute a perfect weekend. Whilst McLaren have proven their dominance week-in-week out, there is always a chance for a result not many fans could’ve seen coming.

Past winners

Credit - LAT Images via Mercedes | 2020 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Sunday

Since its inaugural Grand Prix in 1980, Imola has played host to many historic victories by many notable drivers. Such as Ayrton Senna’s back-to-back wins in 1988 and 1989. In the latter Senna secured victory by an impressive 40-second margin to his teammate Alain Prost, one of his six wins that season.

Transitioning to recent years, the last three Grands Prix at Imola have been dominated by Max Verstappen - as the Dutchman has clinched victory in 2021, 2022 and 2024. In the first two, Verstappen controlled both races, winning by a margin of over 10 seconds in each, with only 2024 being a close-fought victory against Norris.

Winner picks

1) Lando Norris

Finding himself second in the drivers’ standings, Norris hasn’t had the season he has hoped for so far. Norris had a great opening to the season, and will be able to build on it in Imola. McLaren’s car is currently a couple tenths faster than the rest of the field, so the British driver can use this to his advantage to construct a dominant weekend in Imola if he gets it right.

2) Oscar Piastri

Piastri enters this weekend with the momentum that could help him add to his championship challenge. The Australian driver has a champion’s mentality, keeping a cool head in intense race situations. Piastri’s mentality has meant he has been able to dominate so far this season, winning every race he has this season by at least two seconds each. A feat that isn’t consistently easy in this competitive era of F1.

3) Max Verstappen

Verstappen could be a curveball both McLarens struggle with this weekend. The four-time drivers’ championship has demonstrated why he is one of F1’s best drivers currently, especially this season. Whilst not possessing the fastest car, his win in Japan shows how he is able to produce results despite setbacks. Therefore, Verstappen could prove to be potent if one of the McLarens makes a costly error.

Notes

This will be Argentinian driver Colapinto’s first Grand Prix with Alpine since the team’s swap with him and Jack Doohan. Imola will also be the first of two home Grands prix for Antonelli, as for Ferrari too.