Will it be all or nothing at the start, a ‘do or die’ for Max Verstappen in the first round of the GP Emilia-Romagna in Imola? Why a new clash between Oscar Piastri and him is imminent, how Italy is drying its tears, and why strategy will be crucial. This and more about the race in Imola today, in the preview!
1. Verstappen versus Piastri
Once again, the car was significantly better on Saturday than on Friday, with Red Bull. However, polesitter Oscar Piastri (McLaren) has the fastest vehicle on the field for the race. This is evident from the long runs during the free practice sessions in Italy. Therefore, if Verstappen wants to win, he will have to strike before the Australian disappears on the Italian horizon. A good start and immediate attack; that will be Verstappen’s battle plan.
This means a potential clash with Piastri, similar to what happened in Saudi Arabia earlier this season. Will it end in penalties, or even tears? It’s possible, as both rivals give little ground to each other. And while Verstappen can’t afford a dropout and thus zero points if he still wants to keep hope for the title, he has less to lose (read: more to gain) in attack mode than championship leader Piastri.
However, if Piastri zooms away at the start, Verstappen is likely out of the picture. Don’t discount Lando Norris and George Russell either: one of them could easily be the laughing third from the second row if the duel between Verstappen and Piastri derails right in front of them.
2. Italian Tears
There was a great deal of disappointment on Italian television. Harsh words were exchanged on Saturday evening. And it wasn’t just about the belief in the country that they should have won the Eurovision Song Contest. No, the embarrassing performance of Ferrari on home soil stirred up the media. Eleventh and twelfth: the total powerlessness of drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton at the home favorite was painful. Is there anything left to salvage for Ferrari? That remains to be seen.
Perhaps the Italian hope should be better directed towards Kimi Antonelli. The teenager from Bologna is racing in his backyard and, despite his thirteenth starting position, will likely have enough speed in the Mercedes to make his way forward. However, a lot will have to happen to give many an Italian F1 fan a pleasant Sunday in Imola in the shadow of men like Verstappen and Piastri.
3. Strategy and Slight Chance of Rain
The circuit in Imola is not known for a multitude of overtaking opportunities. Because there is also only one DRS zone, strategy becomes crucial. And not so much in terms of the number of pit stops, but when you make them. If the timing is right, you as a team and driver can make a move on Sunday. This is always good, but especially in Imola, the effect of a well-timed stop is significant. The lack of overtaking opportunities provides an extra way to overtake others. Especially since some may take a gamble with the soft C6 tire. Who dares?
The unpredictability and difficulty of the circuit will also play a role: the qualification showed once again how quickly you can fly off the track here. Red flags and safety car situations are lurking.
And then there is also a 20 percent chance of rain. However small, a chance is a chance…
And furthermore:
…Aston Martin made it to Q3 for the first time this season…
…a lap in Imola is 4909 meters long…
…the number of race laps is 63…
…the first Grand Prix in Imola was in 1980.
