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After its cancellation in 2023 due to devastating floods in the region, Formula One returns to the legendary Imola circuit for the fourth edition of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix since its revival in 2020. Tune in on The Roar for live coverage from 11pm (AEST).
Imola is a circuit these days that boasts technicality and high-speeds, whilst perhaps not to same degree as in the past. This 4.9km track was the scene of Formula One’s darkest weekend 30 years ago, where Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna perished in separate incidents.
Nowadays, chicanes are in place at those once-gnarly corners such as Tamburello to keep the speeds down. They present a different challenge to the current crop of drivers, with overtaking being a challenge especially with a single DRS zone.
In 2022 it was Max Verstappen who broke Tifosi hearts, leading a Red Bull one-two in the Ferrari heartland. A sizeable upgrade package for the Scuderia this weekend has buoyed Prancing Horse faithfuls, though despite their set-up troubles on Friday, Red Bull still have the slight edge on race pace.
And whilst Miami GP winner Lando Norris talked down McLaren’s potential for their first back-to-back wins since 2012, their race pace in practice trim looked awfully close to that of both Red Bull and Ferrari. Oscar Piastri, too, has the full berth of upgrades this weekend, that propelled his teammate to victory last time out.
It was the reigning three-time world champion who powered to pole position, against the odds and out-qualifying Piastri who joins the Verstappen on the front-row by 0.074 seconds.
The McLarens out-qualifying home favourites Ferrari, with Leclerc being 0.224 seconds off pole position and startled to have both McLarens in front of them to start the race.
Daniel Ricciardo’s qualifying performance made it a dual top-ten start for both Aussies ahead of the grand prix. The eight-time race winner will start from ninth, behind RB teammate Yuki Tsunoda in seventh.
Tyre wear is low at Imola, and this will be helped by the slew of support categories such as F2 and F3 laying down similar Pirelli rubber ahead of the 63-lap grand prix. A one-stop strategy will be expected unless the slight chance of showers does eventuate and affect proceedings.
Can we see Red Bull winless in consecutive races for the first time since 2022? Or will the reigning world champion fire back after his not-so-ideal run in Miami?
Lights out: 11pm (AEST)
Venue: Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola
TV: Fox Sports
Online: Kayo Sports
2022 winner: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
Grid
1.Max Verstappen (Red Bull), 2. Oscar Piastri (McLaren), 3. Lando Norris (McLaren), 4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), 5. Carlos (Ferrari), 6. George Russell (Mercedes), 7. Yuki Tsunoda (RB), 8. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes). 9. Daniel Ricciardo (RB), 10. Nico Hülkenberg (Haas), 11. Sergio Perez (Red Bull), 12. Esteban Ocon (Alpine), 13. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) 14. Alexander Albon (Williams), 15 Pierre Gasly (Alpine), 16. Valtteri Bottas (Sauber), 17. Guanyu Zhou (Sauber), 18. Kevin Magnussen (Haas), 19. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), 20. Logan Sargeant (Williams)
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