Formula 1 returns to Italy for the start of a European triple-header as the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola takes place this weekend.
Lewis Hamilton will race in front of the Tifosi for the first time at Ferrari, as the Scuderia face pressure to find form on home soil.
Verstappen continued his fine 2024 season with victory at Emilia Romagna last yearAFPThe Brit superstar finished eighth in Miami last time out, one spot below his Prancing Horse teammate Charles Leclerc.
Oscar Piastri took a third straight victory of the season to extend his championship lead over his McLaren partner, Lando Norris.
Max Verstappen, meanwhile, has fallen to 32 points adrift of the top but is hopeful of Red Bull bringing some much-needed upgrades.
In addition to Ferrari, the Imola crowd will also be supporting Mercedes star Kimi Antonelli after his stunning Sprint pole in Miami.
Imola returned to the F1 schedule in 2020 after a 14-year absence, although it was cancelled in 2023 due to severe flooding.
Fortunately for drivers this weekend, the current weather forecast is largely dry and hot with temperatures around 27C.
Emilia Romagna GP: Date and start times
The race weekend at Imola Circuit is taking place from Friday, May 16, to Sunday, May 18.
A standard schedule will ensue in Italy following the Miami sprint, with three practice sessions held over the first two days.
Qualifying is pencilled in for 3pm on Saturday, following a third and final practice at 11.30am earlier that morning.
Light’s Out for the Grand Prix will take place at 2pm UK time on Sunday.
Friday May 16Emilia Romagna GP Practice One (session starts at 12.30pm)Emilia Romagna GP Practice Two (session starts at 4pm) Saturday May 17Emilia Romagna GP Practice Three (session starts at 11.30am)3pm: EMILIA ROMAGNA GP QUALIFYING Sunday May 1812:30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Emilia Romagna GP build-up2pm: The EMILIA ROMAGNA GRAND PRIX Hamilton is switching focus back to Ferrari after co-chairing the Met GalaGettyEmilia Romagna GP: TV channel and live stream
The race weekend will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with coverage of the Grand Prix scheduled to begin at 12:30pm on Sunday.
Sky customers can live stream this via the app using their mobile, tablet or computer devices.
You can also purchase a Sky Sports Day Pass from NowTV for £14.99, while Channel Four will broadcast highlights later in the evening.
Tom Clayton will also have updates on the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola, live on talkSPORT.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
The old-school grass and gravel traps at Imola make it a driver’s challengeAFPEmilia Romagna GP: What has been said?
Hamilton is not letting a disappointing start to life at Ferrari dampen his optimism for what he can achieve at F1’s most famous team.
“I generally had a good day,” he said after the Miami Grand Prix. “Eighth doesn’t really look like that, but I feel optimistic for the future.
“I think this car really does have performance. But something’s holding us back at the moment. We’ve lost performance since China [round two], and it’s there, it’s just we can’t use it.
“Until we get a fix for that, then this is where we are. But in the meantime, we can work on all the other stuff.”
“It’s still a tough week for us,” Hamilton added, “but we’re in a better position here, so we’re clearly not as quick as we’re able to be.”
Emilia Romagna GP: Drivers’ standings
Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 131 4 wins, 5 podiums Lando Norris (McLaren) – 115, 1 win, 5 podiums Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 99, 1 win, 3 podiums George Russell (Mercedes) – 93, 0 wins, 4 podiums Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 53, 0 wins, 1 podium Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 48 Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 41 Alex Albon (Williams) – 30 Esteban Ocon (Haas) – 14 Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – 14 Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) – 9 Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 7 Carlos Sainz (Williams) – 7 Oliver Bearman (Haas) – 6 Nico Hulkenberg (Kick Sauber) – 6 Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 5 Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – 0 Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 0 Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick Sauber) – 0 Franco Colapinto (Alpine) – 0 Jack Doohan (Alpine) – 0 OUT Read More Details
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