Three wins in a row send Piastri to Imola full of confidence, while Ferrari must bounce back in front of their home crowd
Oscar Piastri is the standout name of the Formula 1 season as the paddock heads to European soil for this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. The McLaren driver has won the last three races and sits at the top of the championship standings, 16 points ahead of teammate Lando Norris.
But it’s not just the Australian’s superb form stealing the spotlight in Imola. At Ferrari, expectations are sky-high – and so is the frustration.
Home turf – and heavy pressure
After six races without any major results, Ferrari arrive for their first home Grand Prix of the year with a car that has so far failed to live up to expectations.
Lewis Hamilton is still waiting for his first Grand Prix podium in red, while Charles Leclerc continues to struggle with the temperamental SF25.
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Leclerc explained that the team has been experimenting with extreme setup directions in an effort to unlock more performance but emphasized how difficult it is to compare driver performances with such different car settings.
Hamilton, whose only win this year came in the Shanghai Sprint, has taken steps to block out the noise — including unfollowing everyone on Instagram, Ferrari and even his dog Roscoe included.
Antonelli’s home debut – and Colapinto returns
Mercedes’ 18-year-old rising star Kimi Antonelli is set to race in his first home Grand Prix. The Bologna native has already made history as the youngest F1 driver to take a pole (in a sprint), set the fastest lap, and lead a race.
“It’s a special occasion for him,” said Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff according to Sport.ndtv. “But it’s still just a race worth 25 points – and that’s what matters.”
At the same time, Argentine driver Franco Colapinto returns to Formula 1, replacing Jack Doohan at Alpine just a week after Oliver Oakes’ surprise departure as team principal.
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McLaren is the car to beat
Even reigning world champion Max Verstappen has struggled to keep pace. The Dutchman sits third in the standings – 32 points behind Piastri – and has had to work hard to compensate for a Red Bull car that is no longer the best on the grid.
“McLaren have the car to beat right now. That’s clear, and they’ll be tough to beat over the next few races,” said Red Bull boss Christian Horner according to Sport.ndtv.
After Imola’s fast and technically demanding circuit, the European season continues with the iconic Monaco Grand Prix — where a new rule will mandate a second pit stop — followed by the Spanish Grand Prix.
With Piastri in control and Ferrari in turmoil, the European leg of the season promises drama at every stop.
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Socurce: Sport.ndtv
