We are back with another double header this weekend, starting in Imola for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix before the Monaco Grand Prix the following weekend as drivers pay tribute to Ayrton Senna 30 years after his tragedy.
1. Team Upgrades.
With 63 laps and 19 turns, the Emilia Romagna is set to bring some anticipation, especially with McLaren, Mercedes, and Ferrari. The top four teams have brought in their upgrades for the championship battle this race, with McLaren giving us a glimpse of hope after their victorious weekend in Miami where Lando Norris secured his maiden win.
Ferrari had announced they would be bringing their first upgrades of the season to Imola. The Scuderia had sampled the new parts on filming day at their Fiorano test track last week in hopes that the modified sidepod inlets, floor and rear wing would allow the team to challenge Red Bull more consistently for the title.
As for McLaren, the Papaya team will be racing with two completely upgraded cars. Norris will be amongst the possible candidates for pole position and a possible second consecutive race win on the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari track, which is ranked amongst one of his best.
Mercedes had arrived in Miami with some upgrades that were overshadowed by McLaren's MCL38. Among the upgrades that we can expect are modifications towards circuits with low-speed corners, such as Monaco and Montreal. Could a title battle amongst the top four teams be possible?
2. Sebastian Vettel's return to the track in tribute to Senna
One of the most adored former drivers in Formula 1 will make his return to the track at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, driving Ayrton Senna's McLaren MP4/8 around the circuit after 30 years from the tragic accident.
The MP4/8 was used by Senna in the 1993 season and was bought by Vettel following his retirement in 2022. Senna drove it to five memorable race victories in his final season with McLaren, finishing second in the Driver's Championship despite it being a far cry from the power and technology of William's FW15C, which would later be piloted to world title glory by Alain Prost.
Perhaps his best lap time in the MP4/8 came at Donington in the 1993 European Grand Prix, when the Brazilian went from seventh to first on a wet first lap and crossed the finish line 83 seconds ahead of everyone else.
3. Oliver Bearman's FP1 appearance for Haas
Ollie Bearman is set to make his Formula 1 reappearance for Hass in the Imola Grand Prix. At the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Bearman performed admirably in lieu of Carlos Sainz, who had been sidelined following an appendectomy.
He finished an outstanding seventh, ahead of 7-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton and McLaren's Lando Norris, potentially establishing his eligibility for an F1 promotion earlier than expected. However, there are still a lot of unclaimed spots for the 2025 season, meaning the young Briton may face strong competition to get a spot on the grid.
Seeing as though Kevin Magnussen is two points away from a race ban and that Bearman serves as a reserve driver for both Ferrari and Haas, his next F1 appearance may arrive sooner rather than later. If the Dane gets into an accident or is found to be recklessly driving during this Grand Prix, Bearman will most likely replace him in Monaco, providing him another chance to prove himself to the team.