The countdown to the return of Formula 1 to Imola is almost over. After last year’s missed edition due to the flood that violently hit Emilia Romagna, the Iridato Circus returns to the Santerno circuit for a weekend full of ingredients, between technique, performance and history. There are many expectations for the important developments that will bring various teams to the track, Ferrari above all, but also for the opening of the European F1 season, an important crossroads for the central part of the championship.
The choice of tires and the importance of track evolution
As explained in the official Pirelli press release, on the tire front riders will have the three softest compounds in the range available, C3, C4 and C5. Although last year the choice was the same, it will be a debut, since the race was not held due to the flood, while in 2022 the compounds brought to the track were the central ones. Another novelty compared to the edition of two years ago is to be relegated to the fact that it will return to the Santerno the weekend with the traditional format, unlike the edition two years ago, when the sprint was held. On that occasion, Max Verstappen won in both races of the weekend. Pirelli then indicated how important the factor of the evolution of the track will be, which it will do increase the degree of grip session after sessionon asphalt characterized by an accentuated level of abrasiveness.
Qualification is crucial, but pay attention to strategies
On the race front it will be important the strategic aspect, given that on the one hand the choice of softer compounds opens up the possibility of multi-stop strategies, but at the same time the aspect linked to the length of the pit lane should not be underestimated. The circuit named after Enzo and Dino Ferrari is one of the longest pit lanes in the world championship, which implies a longer travel time, increasing the duration of the stop. Scenarios that expand further if we consider the neutralizations of the race, which on a statistical level occurred in over 70% of the races held in Imola, as highlighted in the press release released by Pirelli. A further factor that could influence the outcome of the weekend for the drivers is linked to the result of qualifying. The narrow road surface for almost the entire route increases the difficulty of overtaking, complicating life for those who may be called upon to make a comeback. Looking back, 19 times out of 30 the winner of the GP started from the front row, while no one won by starting beyond the fifth spot on the grid
In Imola it will also be a challenge for the drivers from a driving point of view, since some changes have been made to the escape routes, with the insertion of gravel in points such as the exit of the Curve Acque Minerali, making off-piste excursions are more insidious and penalizing. The weekend that opens the European season therefore promises to be full of ingredients, on and off the track. With the passion of the fans reigning supreme, with the spotlight obviously focused on Ferrari and the new technical developments, but not only that. In fact, there will be several teams that will introduce new features during the Santerno weekend, in three days in which history will also be celebratedin the edition of the thirty-year anniversary of the tragic weekend of 1994, in which Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger tragically lost their lives.
