Formula 1 2025 Emilia-Romagna GP Preview

Ready for a tongue twister? This weekend, on May 16-18, F1 fans are going to see FORMULA 1 AWS GRAN PREMIO DEL MADE IN ITALY E DELL’EMILIA-ROMAGNA 2025. Say that 3 times in a row! 

With all seriousness, the F1 2025 season is in full swing. The storylines so far are mostly focused on Oscar Piastri’s dominant form, Max Verstappen’s overachievements in the Red Bull and Lando Norris’ struggles with consistency. However, there’s plenty more to preview before the 20 fastest open-wheel racing cars hit the tarmac on the legendary Imola track. Let’s see the F1 odds before the 2025 Emilia-Romagna GP and see the biggest storylines surrounding the paddock. 

Emilia-Romagna GP 2025 | Schedule

This is the Schedule for the F1 2025 Emilia-Romagna GP. All times are UK.

• FP1 – 12.30 pm, Friday
• FP2 – 5.00 pm, Friday
• FP3 – 11.30 am, Saturday
• Qualifying – 3.00 pm, Saturday
• Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix – 2.00 pm, Sunday

In the UK, Sky Sports is the official broadcaster of F1, and you can also watch it worldwide via F1TV. 

3 Biggest Storylines Before the Emilia-Romagna GP

Driver Rotation and One More Leadership Change in Alpine

It seems that Alpine pulled something out of the Red Bull Racing playbook. A dramatic turn of events finally unfolded as long-speculated rumours came to fruition. After just six races at the wheel of Alpine, Australian rookie Jack Doohan has been sidelined in favour of Franco Colapinto. 

In addition, Team Principal Oliver Oakes resigned simultaneously, handing over the reigns to a returning paddock legend – Flavio Briatore. Even though Oakes’ letter cited personal reasons for resignation, whispers suggest friction with Briatore was the leading cause. For F1 loyals, this situation has Briatore fingerprints all over it.

For Jack Doohan this is a tough blow, as the Aussie driver was under immense pressure from day 1. When Alpine signed Colapinto as a reserve driver, rumours started swirling that Alpine might be already thinking on replacing Doohan if he fails to impress. While the DNF in Miami didn’t help his cause, most would agree that the youngster deserved a bit more time. 

Last year, when he replaced Logan Sargeant and stepped into the Williams mid-season, Colapinto impressed with his raw pace, often matching or even outperforming Alex Albon. If not for numerous serious crashes, the Argentinian would’ve had a near-flawless 2nd half of 2024. 

All this said, maybe a bold move is what a struggling Alpine needs to get going? A team seemingly allergic to consistency (Oscar Piastri saga, losing Fernando Alonso, now this), with all its flaws, still cannot be happy in 9th with 7 points in their tally. With Mercedes engines coming in 2026, Alpine needs clarity and definitely not more drama. Let’s hope that the arrival of Flavio and Franco brings stability and changes the culture for the better.

Maybe Imola is the Turning Point for Ferrari?

The loyal Tifosi are tired of hearing the same old song all the way from 2007, when they last won any title, courtesy of the ‘Iceman’ Kimi Raikkonen. 

For Ferrari, 2025 seems to be no different with seemingly high expectations before the year and massive underperformance in every aspect since. However, Imola and the 2025 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix could be the spot where the tide turns. 

After a dismal outing in Miami’s Sprint Weekend (ignoring Lewis Hamilton’s sprint podium), where Charles Leclerc and 7-time world champion Hamilton limped to 6th and 8th, Team Principal Fred Vasseur promised “small upgrades” for Imola and a bigger push for Barcelona (May 30 – June 1).

The SF-25’s twitchy rear and lack of downforce have left Ferrari somewhere in limbo. They showed stretches where they’re on par with McLarens or even faster on track but have also had outings when their car is weaker than the likes of Williams. 

Imola is a technical track, so the upgrades that Scuderia brings, could boost optimism. Yet, their main rivals – Mercedes, McLaren and Red Bull aren’t standing still, and the FIA’s looming front wing tests in Barcelona might not level the field as hoped. So, Ferrari is betting big on its coming upgrades. Let’s see if the trend ends here and the Maranello outfit finally doesn’t choke under pressure and delivers!

Internal Turmoil Brewing at Williams?

Williams have been the most pleasant surprise of this year. Even though Carlos Sainz didn’t get off to a dream start, he has been on form ever since Saudi Arabia, finishing in the points both times. At the same time, Alex Albon capitalised and delivered one mighty drive after another.

Jeddah seemingly marked the turning point where Sainz finally arrived and proved the 4-time race winner is ready to give Williams two drivers, capable of fighting for points. However, after a sprint penalty demoted Albon from a 4th place finish to outside the points, he wanted redemption.

Then came the Miami GP and team orders fiasco on Lap 14. Albon ignored team orders, overtaking Sainz, who was battling floor damage from a Lap 1 clash with his teammate. This left the Spaniard livid, and he aired out frustrations over the radio, saying “That’s not how I race, guys,” and later admitting he felt “stupid and powerless.”.

Although Albon finished a stellar P5 and claimed the team order was given too late, fans of Sainz criticised the amateurish race management of Williams. To respond, team principal James Vowles defended Albon and blamed a timing-mix instead of disobedience of the driver. With that being said, Sainz played the ultimate team game in Jeddah to help Albon but was badly burnt in Miami. With Williams currently in great form and occupying 5th position in the Constructors standings, internal drama isn’t what Williams can afford. 

Emilia-Romagna GP | Track & History

Known officially as the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari or just ‘Imola’ by many, this legendary track hosts the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in 2025. Nestled in the heart of Emilia-Romagna region in Italy, Imola is a technical, iconic and very dangerous track.

It’s interesting to know that the Grand Prix titles for Imola have varied over the years.

• It was the Italian Grand Prix in 1980
• Then it changed to San Marino Grand Prix from 1981 to 2006
• After returning to the calendar in 2020 it has been named the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix

The track itself is a 3.050 mile anti-clockwise circuit with 19 total turns (9 – left and 10 – right), offering a majestic blend of high-speed and heavy-braking zones along with technical corners. Iconic sections like Acque Minerali and Piratella testing drivers’ ability to position their car with elevation changes and unpredictable weather adding an even bigger twist to some races. 

Abrasive tarmac is one more challenge that the drivers face, requiring smooth driving and lots of managing during a 63-lap race. Variante Tamburello and the Rivazza stand out as the two prime locations for overtaking.

Racing in Imola rarely disappoints and you can expect to see everything from crashes to hot pursuits lap after lap. We can reminisce the nail-biting 2005 San Marino GP and Fernando Alonso keeping Michael Schumacher at bay by just 0.2 seconds. More recently, we’ve seen George Russell and Valtteri Bottas come to blows as well as Max Verstappen forcing Lewis Hamilton wide in the same, 2021 race weekend here.

Even though it’s a classic venue for races, adored by fans and drivers, it’s also one marked with tragedy. During the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger tragically lost their lives. Thankfully, the track’s safety has been improved, yet we all remember that one error can cost it all in Imola.

Recap of the Last Racing Weekend | Miami GP

Even though the fans sometimes criticise the fact that Miami’s track doesn’t have any heritage, the 2025 race under the hot Florida sun delivered a lot of exciting action. 

Kimi Antonelli shocked everyone by getting sprint pole, but failed to capitalise on it, only ending up 7th in the final sprint order. Lando Norris got his sprint win with his teammate right behind, securing McLaren a 1-2 finish. Lewis Hamilton was the surprise of the lot, switching tyres at the best moment and taking advantage of the safety car to take 3rd. 

In the Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri delivered one more commanding performance. Starting only fourth, the 24-year-old Australian overtook polesitter Max Verstappen on Lap 15 and didn’t make any mistakes to triumph in Miami. Norris crossed the line second with George Russell claiming 3rd in yet another uneventful but successful drive for #63. 

There was plenty of drama with 4 DNF’s, a hit on Fernando Alonso, team order issues at Williams and a dreary pace of both Ferrari cars.

In the end, Piastri extended his lead in the driver’s championship over Norris to 16 points. McLaren continues to pounce while Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes fight for scraps. 

Standings Before the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix

Current F1 standings for 2025 before the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.

Driver Standings

Constructor Standings

The first triple header of the year is upon us. Italian rarely disappoints, so let’s expect a change of action compared to Suzuka. Check out our blog to read every Grand Prix preview and other expert insights into the world of F1. 7bet offers betting markets for Formula 1 and many different motorsports events as well. Check it out if you’re interested!

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