Formula 1 arrives at the historic Imola circuit this week for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, marking the start of a three-race European stretch that could significantly influence the 2024 championship outcome.
Following his fourth victory in the season`s first six races at Miami, Oscar Piastri holds a 16-point lead over his McLaren teammate Lando Norris. Red Bull`s Max Verstappen is currently 32 points behind Piastri, while Mercedes driver George Russell trails by 38 points.
McLaren demonstrated commanding race performance in Miami, winning by over 30 seconds. Should they maintain this level of dominance, the Drivers` Championship could rapidly narrow down to a contest between their two drivers.
However, several key factors are in play, including a forthcoming technical regulation enforcement, which could alter the competitive landscape over the next few weeks. The event in Imola is swiftly followed by the Monaco Grand Prix and the Spanish Grand Prix.
Anticipated Upgrades at Imola
Most teams are expected to introduce some form of car upgrades at Imola. This is facilitated by the weekend break since the Miami race and the logistical advantages of transporting new components within Europe. Teams often prefer to debut major updates at circuits like Imola rather than the unpredictable Monaco track, where the risk of crashes is higher, making Imola a target for upgrades planned months in advance.
Ferrari previously introduced a new floor in Bahrain, and Verstappen used a revised floor in Miami. Yet, neither of these updates has appeared to significantly reduce their performance gap relative to McLaren.
Christian Horner of Red Bull indicated that their new floor is part of a series of incremental updates planned over the upcoming races, suggesting smaller changes might be seen in Imola, potentially Monaco, and Spain. Horner downplayed expectations for a “big update” in Imola, calling it an era of “incremental gains” under current regulations.
He acknowledged Red Bull`s performance issues at certain races this year but highlighted their ability to still secure results, noting they are the only team besides McLaren to win a race in 2024 and have achieved multiple pole positions. Horner stressed the season is a “marathon,” and based on past experience, the situation can change rapidly, suggesting no team in the top six can be ruled out as a contender yet.
The previous year saw a shift where McLaren and Ferrari challenged Red Bull more strongly after Red Bull`s early dominance. McLaren has been discreet about their development strategy but aims to avoid excessive changes that could disrupt the performance of their car, which currently has no obvious weaknesses.
McLaren is also considering modifications to improve Lando Norris`s comfort level in the car. Norris has publicly stated he feels less confident this season compared to late last year, although he showed improved pace relative to Piastri in the closing stages at Miami.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella mentioned last month that the team is engineering improvements to make the car more manageable, particularly in qualifying, which would benefit both drivers. He stated this is a technical challenge the team is actively addressing to ensure new parts precisely meet the required specifications.
Mercedes is preparing a significant upgrade for Imola aimed at reducing tyre degradation, a key area where they trail McLaren. Toto Wolff noted that while Mercedes is working hard on updates, their competitors will also progress, making it interesting to see the on-track outcome.
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur confirmed minor updates for Imola, which will also be Lewis Hamilton`s first race in front of the Tifosi as a Ferrari driver.
The range of new components introduced over the coming month is crucial because teams will soon divert their full development focus towards the major rule changes anticipated for the 2026 season. This means drivers will largely rely on the cars developed during this pivotal phase for the remainder of the year.
Monaco`s Strategy Revitalized by New Pit Stop Rule
Immediately following Imola, F1 heads to Monaco, where a new mandatory two-pit-stop rule aims to inject more excitement into the race. Announced in February, the rule requires drivers to pit at least twice during the 78-lap event around the Principality.
Limited overtaking opportunities on F1`s most famous track, exacerbated by larger cars, have often resulted in processional races in recent years. Last year, for instance, the top 10 finishers were largely in the same positions as they started, partly due to an early red flag minimizing strategic variability.
The new pit stop rules are expected to force strategic divergence and could lead to errors on the pit wall. Teams will face complex decisions regarding early stops under safety cars versus delaying stops. This introduces a layer of unpredictability and strategic challenge, making it either a dream or a nightmare for strategists depending on how the race unfolds.
Charles Leclerc, last year`s race winner, believes the rule will “definitely help the Sunday,” adding that while Saturday qualifying in Monaco is incredible, Sunday`s race sometimes lacks excitement, and he hopes this change will provide the needed “spice.” The two-stop requirement is likely to encourage drivers to push harder throughout the race, rather than preserving tyres at a slower pace. Pushing on a demanding street circuit inherently increases the potential for driver mistakes.
Reigning world champion Max Verstappen, who won in Monaco in 2021, emphasized the exceptionally high level of focus required due to the narrow confines and minimal run-off areas. He noted that unlike other street circuits with more recovery space, a small lock-up or misjudgment in Monaco can immediately end the race. Verstappen also highlighted the danger of relaxing even slightly, reinforcing the need for constant concentration in this uniquely challenging event.
Spanish GP to See Flexi-Wing Technical Scrutiny
No F1 season is complete without a technical debate. Following last season`s discussion around rear-wing flexibility, sometimes dubbed `mini-DRS,` the FIA announced new load tests for wings. These tests will be specifically introduced for front-wing flexibility starting at the Spanish Grand Prix at the end of May. Flexible bodywork that provides an aerodynamic advantage by deforming at speed is prohibited in F1.
While new deflection limits for rear wings were already implemented at the season opener in Melbourne, the Barcelona tests will target front wings. Footage from various races this year has shown front wings on some cars exhibiting movement on straights – flexing downwards potentially for increased speed – and then returning to a rigid state in corners to maintain maximum downforce. The upcoming tests aim to ensure compliance with the regulations regarding bodywork rigidity.
Gilbert Pendleton