Formula 1 Returns to Italy for Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola
The Formula 1 season continues with a European triple-header as the sport returns to Italy for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola, one of the most iconic circuits on the F1 calendar.
Australian driver Oscar Piastri extended his championship lead over teammate Lando Norris after securing a third straight victory in Miami earlier this week. The 16-point gap between Piastri and Norris looks significant heading into the Imola event.
Red Bull's Max Verstappen, meanwhile, has fallen to 32 points adrift of Piastri following a difficult Sprint weekend in Miami. However, the team will bring upgraded machinery to Imola in an attempt to close the gap with McLaren.
Ferrari will be under increasing pressure on Lewis Hamilton as he makes his debut at home. The seven-time world champion has faced criticism from Ferrari fans after a disappointing start to the season, and Sunday's grand prix could be the moment of truth for the team.
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli will also be putting in a strong performance at home after taking pole position in Miami. His teammate George Russell failed to replicate his teammate's success, but Russell is still expected to pose a threat to Antonio Giovinazzi and other Ferrari drivers.
In other news, Alpine has confirmed that Franco Colapinto will replace Jack Doohan for the next five races following Oliver Oakes' resignation as team principal last week.
The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix takes place at Imola, a circuit known for its old-school nature with grass and gravel traps. The track returns to F1 after a 14-year absence on a new layout that continues to be used today.
Qualifying will play a crucial role in this weekend's event due to the tight nature of the fast, flowing circuit with only one DRS zone on the long, main straight.
Track Details:The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix is held at Imola Circuit, which returned to the F1 calendar after a 14-year absence. The track features grass and gravel traps and has been tweaked over the years to improve safety following Ayrton Senna's fatal accident in 1994.
Weather Conditions: The weather forecast for Imola indicates that Sunday will be dry with sunny conditions, although drivers may still face variable temperatures throughout the weekend.
TV Schedule:F1 fans can watch the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix on TV or stream it online through various providers. Sky Sports customers can tune in from 7.25am F3 feature race to the checkered flag at 2pm and access exclusive live streams through the Sky Sports app or NOW subscription.