Formula-1. What to wait for the Emilia-Romagan Grand Prix: Announcement and a race forecast in Italy | Formula 1

Another week of break from Formula-1 ends and Italy is ready to accept the next, seventh stage, « Queen of Motor Sports ».

From May 16 to May 18, the Grand Prix of Emilia Romany will take place in Imola and Dino Ferrari. The champion has decided to deal with the main intrigues and interests on the eve of the stage, which is 80 kilometers from the Ferrari plant in Maranello.

Historical reference

Immola accepted Formula-1 in the times of Senna and Schumacher, but new F-1 fans may not know that then the stage was called the San Marino Grand Prix.

This situation is due to the fact that the Grand Prix of Italy is usually held at the « speed temple » on the Montz motorway, it was decided to call the stage in Imola in the name of the surrounding country.

In 1987, during the practice, an accident occurred with a 2-time winner of the stage by Nelson Peak, who missed the race due to injury. During the San Marino Grand Prix in 1989, Gerhard Berger broke his Ferrari into Tamburelllo due to the refusal of the anterior Tryl. The car lit after a heavy collision. It was only through the speed of firefighters and doctors that Berger escaped serious injuries.

The most tragic incident not only in Imola, but also apparently in the whole formula-1 was the Grand Prix of San Marino in 1994.

It was during that stage that the same « Black Vic-End » occurred: during Friday practice, Rubens Barrikello crashed into the curb, the car hit the top of the barrier from the tires and overturned, the Brazilian lost consciousness from the impact. The pilot was not seriously injured.

Then during the qualification, Austrian Roland Ratzenberger collided with a wall in the turn of « Vilnius » due to the breakdown of the anterior rubber and died on the spot.

The next day, the legendary Ayrton Senna lost control in Tamburello’s turn. By itself, the blow against the wall did not cause severe damage, but part of the suspension, which broke away as a result of the event, punched the helmet of « a man of rain » and caused a fatal injury.

After all these tragic events, the stage in Imola was held for another 12 years. The last San Marino Grand Prix took place in 2006 and returned the race in the Emilia Romagan region in 2020 through the Covid-19 pandemic.

The stage was to become « one -off » because of the problems of other organizers, but since then there were 4 races (in 2023, the stage was canceled through floods in the region).

Immola’s stage records

It is obvious that it would be too interesting to list the 4 winners of the Grand Prix of Emilia-Romagna, because everyone remembers who dominated formula-1 in the last 5 years, so we will talk about the most successful riders and designers at the Enzo and Dino Ferrari.

The undisputed number is Michael Schumacher, who at once became the winner of the stage and all 7 times within the San Marino Grand Prix. The last race was won by the Red Baron before returning in 2020.

It is his victories that allow Ferrari to maintain equality with Williams in the number of victories among teams – 8 times. Six times the stage in Imola won pilots McLaren.

If we talk about modern history, the most successful is Max Ferstapppen, who from 2021 to 2024 won all Emilia Romagan Grand Prixes.

In 2020, he remained under Lewis Hamilton, who then performed on his black Mercedes.

The configuration of the track

The Enzio and Dino Ferrari highoon is one of the few in the calendar in which the riders go counter -clockwise.

After testing his Alphatauri AT01 on the route before the 2020 season, Pierre Gasley named this experience one of the best he had ever had at the wheel of Formula-1.

In total, the route had 6 configurations in its history. The first was represented in 1953 and was relevant until 1972 after which the organizers added a few chicken to slow down.

Then the changes took place in 1973, 1980, 1995, 2008, and a separate configuration for mottoes was presented.

Currently, the Imola stage has 19 turns and one DRS zone to a starting line. 63 Race circles of 4.909 km each form a total arrival of 309,049 km.

Favorites and intrigues of the Grand Prix of Emilia-Romanya

To talk about the next success of McLaren and the struggle between the calm and stable Oscar Pastri and the sharp and expressive Lando Norris were already tired, and the break gave up so many questions to the coming stage.

The Alpin was still a replacement reported by the media before the season. Jack Duen still failed to jump above his head, to show the best result for Pierre of the slogan and left the team.

Franco Colapintto came to his place. In fact, the argentine racer (and sponsors who come with him) was a good piece in the pilot market in the off -season.

And then collapinto will have a chance to prove himself in a new team, with a new partner and what is most interesting under the leadership of the new leader Flavio Briator. This is the main intrigue of the stage and the closest races – whether the Argentine will be able to cope with pressure or may be better than slogans.

We think that the Imola race may not disclose all the cards, but before the end of the first half of the season in the summer it will be clear how fast Franco Colapintto will show and what results will show a mountaineer under the leadership of Briator.

Interesting news will also spread about the future Red Bull. The Austrian team, which has been one of the most successful in the last 15 years may lose the head of Christian Gorner and his most valuable asset – Max Ferstappen.

The Dutchman stated before the stage that 3-4 places are not what he performs in Formula 1. Was it a hint of the desire to leave the team or is it possible for Ferstappen also desires changes in leadership?

There are too many questions, especially who is better adapted to changes in the regulations in 2026. Maybe Edrian News will create another masterpiece, now in Aston Martin, and we will see Ferstappen in one team with a slinger? It would be interesting …

Tires, strategies and weather in Imola

Pirelli is trying to soften the rubber for the third stage in a row, and here at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix we are waiting for the softest of all possible configurations of tires-C4, C5, C6.

« Tougher rubber mixtures worked best, providing very stable characteristics, with limited degradation, despite the temperature of the highway above 50 ° C. Those who started on soft tires in 2024 were forced to make two stops. It would be interesting to see if the effect of milder rubber compars.

There is only one DRS zone with disabilities for overtaking in other places, and Pit Lane is the longest on the calendar. All these factors together make one stop compulsory tradition on this track,  » – said in a message from Pirelli.

The weather in Imola promises to be stable. If it is raining today in Italy, then tomorrow will shine a bright sun.

On Sunday, the route should still warm up, given that the temperature will rise from 18 to 23 degrees, so surprises from the mother of nature can not be expected, and « show » should show 20 riders on the track.

The expert’s opinion

On the eve of Emilia-Romany Grand Prix, we talked with the Ukrainian riders and pilot of the Williams Academy Alexander Bondarev, who performs in Italian F-4.

« The route in Imola is very narrow, especially for formula-1 machines, so in addition to the first turn, it is difficult to overtake there. There are many turns where you need to take the choices, and McLaren is very good. Given their pace in Miami, I do not think that someone will be able to be caught, » Bondarev said.

Alexander Bondarev after the first stage of the Italian F-4 The 10th place was located in the general standings of the championship and in 4 positions in the standings of newcomers.

Champion forecast

There is no prerequisite for the winner of the stage to become not a car McLaren. Last time, we predicted that Miami could be a turning point for Lando Norris, but he lost the struggle of the partner again.

So, Oscar Pastri will be our favorite at the Emilia Romagan Grand Prix, although you never know when Norris breaks and he will start winning.

Friday, May 16

14:30 – 15:30. The first practice
18:00 – 19:00. The second practice

Saturday, May 17

13:30 – 14:30. Third practice
17:00 – 18:00. Qualification

Sunday, May 18

16:00. Race

Where to look

Setanta Sports Ukraine+ and OTT-platform Setanta Sports will show a direct broadcast of the Emilia-Romagi Grand Prix Romania in Ukraine.

On the eve of the stage in Imola became known that Max Ferstapppen sat behind the wheel of the Ferrari GT3 car on Nureburgrinz as part of an official test.