With a lead of 105 points over their closest competitor, Mercedes, McLaren is confidently heading into the Grand Prix weekend in Imola. The British racing team also holds the top two spots in the drivers’ championship with racers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Unsurprisingly, McLaren is eagerly looking forward to the first race on the European continent this season.
Max Verstappen narrowly won the GP Emilia-Romagna against McLaren’s Lando Norris just a year ago. Less than eight-tenths separated the two drivers at the finish line. A year later, the Briton is once again one of the favorites to win. “I’m excited to start the European leg of the season,” Norris begins in the preview. “The Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix is always a fun race.”
The Italian race also marks the start of the second triple header of the year. “It was great to return to McLaren headquarters to celebrate our success in Miami, but also to continue our preparations for this busy triple header,” Norris continues. “The car is fantastic, and I’m ready for what’s to come.”
Momentum on My Side
Oscar Piastri, who has already claimed victory four times this season, is heading to Imola with a great deal of confidence. “Imola is an old-school circuit with iconic turns like Acque Minerali and Piratella, and I’m looking forward to driving the MCL39 there. I have momentum on my side and I’m very focused on this first race of the European part of the season.”
With two drivers eagerly looking forward to proving themselves again in Imola, it’s up to team manager Andrea Stella to steer everything in the right direction. Fortunately for the Italian, the GP Emilia-Romagna is ‘always a fantastic event’. “The Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari is a challenging and historic circuit that often delivers exciting races. The combination of fast and slow turns makes it demanding for both the drivers and the engineers. It’s been a busy and strong start to the season for McLaren, but we’re looking forward to racing again in Imola.”
