Formula 1: Everything you need to know about 2024 Emilia Romagna GP

Imola set to reignite F1 passion in Scuderia Holyland

The race weekend is here and the paddock has arrived in Europe at the 2024 Emilia Romagna GP. The 63-lap race is going to take place at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari.

Up till now, Red Bull has managed to claim most of the victories, boasting a dominant season again this year. However, they have been beaten twice out of six races. All thanks to Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris.

Moreover, Lando appears to hold an edge in the forthcoming race due to his recent form in Miami and his strong performance at the previous Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. Despite driving less competitive McLarens in the past, he finished third in the last two visits to the Imola track. Now, with the upgraded MCL38, his chances seem even stronger.

But it will also be fun to witness other teams giving tough competition after their recent upgrades.

Naming the Unnameable

Although ‘Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari’ is the official name of the track, Imola has become the de-facto shortened term for many aspects of the Emilia Romagna GP.

However, at Imola, more than only the track name is utilised interchangeably.

Since the Grand Prix was added to the schedule as a championship event in 1980, its name has also changed.

For that 1980 race, Monza gave up the Italian Grand Prix appellation; however, Imola returned for the 1981 San Marino Grand Prix and remained there until 2006.

When the track returned to Formula One in 2020 amid the global pandemic, it was renamed the Emilia Romagna GP in honour of the Italian area where the circuit is located. San Marino was replaced by this new circuit.

Remembering the Legends

Every May, F1 honours the lives of Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna, who were both killed in the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix at Imola.

We'll remember Roland and Ayrton for generations to come 💭#F1 #Formula1 #ImolaGP pic.twitter.com/WecnR0Zu1y

— Formula 1 (@F1) May 16, 2024

In observance of that sad weekend, which occurred thirty years ago on the day of this race, the track and the surrounding region have memorials and festivities planned.

Over the weekend, Sebastian Vettel will drive Senna’s McLaren MP4/8, the vehicle that the late Brazilian used to compete against Alain Prost in their 1993 championship. Before retiring that year, Prost assisted Williams Racing in winning the championship, following one of the most enduring driver rivalries in Formula One history between him and Senna.

Ratzenberger had only participated in two racing weekends, but the Austrian had won a class in the 1993 24 Hours of Le Mans.

What’s the Circuit like?

The Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit is one of the most technical circuits on the F1 calendar with complex turns and cut-offs. The drivers will be racing on this 4.909km long track for the upcoming weekend race.

Imola, one of Europe’s classic courses, is fast, fluid, and has a reasonable degree of elevation. It started out as a course designed for public roads and is now a true test of a driver and a machine.

The track’s key areas have received some upgrades by bringing back gravel traps on the circuit.

They are at Piratella’s exit, where the gravel trap now runs considerably closer to the right side of the circuit’s boundary.

Furthermore, gravel has been used in lieu of the asphalt runoff on Acque Minerali’s exterior, thus reducing the possibility of error when automobiles make that turn.

Additionally, there is now a gravel trap on the Variante Alta exit, meaning that any error made by drivers here—like Charles Leclerc’s spin in the 2022 Grand Prix—would probably result in a permanent departure.

When is the race?

EVENT	DATE	TIME
Free Practice 1	17 May, 2024	5:00 pm – 6:00 pm IST
Free Practice 2	17 May, 2024	8:30 pm – 9:30 pm IST
Free Practice 3	18 May, 2024	4:00 pm – 5:00 pm IST
Qualifying	18 May, 2024	7:30 pm – 8:30 pm IST
Race	19 May, 2024	6:30 pm – 8:30 pm IST

Weather Forecast for the Emilia Romagna GP 2024

As conditions stand, dry and comfortable weather are predicted for the early weekend running. More sunlight is forecast in the lead-up to the race, but as the afternoon goes on, there is a little chance of showers.

Of course it rained on the track run ❤️#F1 #ImolaGP pic.twitter.com/YeFxoinnfF

— Formula 1 (@F1) May 17, 2024

Friday

The weather conditions on Friday indicate partly cloudy skies with dry conditions likely throughout both FP1 and FP2. For both sessions, moderate southwesterly breezes are predicted to continue, providing the drivers and teams steady weather. Temperatures are expected to range from 23°C to 25°C with less than 20% chance of rain.

Saturday

On Saturday, May 18th, for FP3 and Qualifying sessions, expect mostly sunny conditions with dry weather throughout the day and light southerly winds. The temperature is forecasted to be around 24°C for both FP3 and Qualifying, with a maximum of 25°C and a minimum of 15°C. The chance of rain remains minimal, less than 20%.

Sunday

There are slightly more chances of rain on the final race day. The weather conditions on Sunday predict partly cloudy skies with a slight unsettled pattern. This increases the chances of rain to 40%. The temperature will vary around 23°C, ranging between 23°C and 15°C.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.