Here’s a look at the Emilia-Romagna GP 2022 preview, schedule, live stream details and our prediction for the race as well.
Formula 1 action will return this weekend after two weeks as the attention shifts to the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in Italy. The fourth round of an already sensational season will take place at Imola, which will also host the first sprint race of the season.
Emilia-Romagna GP 2022: Full schedule
The format for this weekend’s GP will be slightly different than usual. Qualifying will take place on Friday after just one hour of practice at the track for the drivers. There will be another practise session just on Saturday morning before the Sprint race.
The Sprint race will be a 100km dash with the grid being formed by the Friday qualifying session. The results of the sprint race will then decide the formation of the grid for Sunday’s main race. But pole position will still be awarded to the driver who sets the quickest time in Friday qualifying, even if they do not start the GP from first position based on the results of the Sprint.
Friday 22nd April 2022
- Free Practice 1: 12:30 – 13:30 BST (5:00 – 6:00 PM IST)
- Qualifying: 16:00 – 17:00 BST (8:30 – 9:30 PM IST)
Saturday 23rd April 2022
- Free Practice 2: 11:30 – 12:30 BST (4:00 – 5:00 PM IST)
- Sprint: 15:30 – 16:30 BST (8:00 – 9:00 PM IST)
Sunday 24th April 2022
- Race: 14:00 BST (6:30 PM IST)
Emilia Romagna GP 2022: Prediction, Track and Forecast
The Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari track at Imola is 4.9kms long and has 19 corners. Last season, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won the race at Imola as Lewis Hamilton finished second. McLaren driver Lando Norris finished third.
However, that pecking order looks unlikely to be repeated this season as Ferrari have pulled ahead of their rivals. Nevertheless, strategies may be changed for the main race as the weather forecasters predict a few showers on Sunday.
Our prediction for the race is the 1st place finish for Charles Leclerc, who looked absolutely untouchable in Australia. Carlos Sainz has had a couple of podium finishes but failed to finish the race at Albert Park. Nevertheless, we are expecting the Spanish driver to take 2nd place. Red Bull’s Sergio Perez has also impressed this season and looks a lot more comfortable in his car. Expecting the Mexican to grab the last place on the podium.
Emilia-Romagna GP Drivers’ and Constructors’ Battles
Ferrari has looked by far the best and fastest team on the grid this year. The Scuderia is currently leading the Constructors Standings and have won two of the three races already thanks to Charle Leclerc. The Monegasque is looking in a championship-winning mood and currently leads the Drivers’ Standings ahead of George Russell and teammate Carlos Sainz.
Although Mercedes appear to be the closest rival to Ferrari in the standings, the Silver Arrows still look far from their best. The British manufacturer have been fortunate to rack up the points due to Red Bull’s reliability issues.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has won the only race he has finished this season. But the reigning world champion will be concerned that he has already had two DNFs while his teammate Sergio Perez had one at the opening race in Bahrain. Red Bull are currently in third place on the Constructors’ table but look to be the only one who could rival Ferrari all the way for pace as things stand.
Although McLaren had a torrid start to their season, a decent run at Australia saw Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo pick up important points for the Woking-based team. The English manufacturer will be hoping that there will be no more reliability issues and the car moves smoothly at Imola.
Alpine are 5th in the Constructors’ Standings. Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon have looked solid so far but the team will be hoping to catch the teams above them as we head into the fourth race of the season.
Guanyu Zhou and Valtteri Bottas are doing a decent job at Alfa Romeo. The two have helped the team to 6th place in the standings but the duo has made fans believe that there is more to come from them this season.
All of Haas’ points this season have been scored by Kevin Magnussen. The Dane has surprised many so far with his incredible driving skills and will be hoping to continue doing the same. Meanwhile, Mick Schumacher is still looking for his first finish in the points.
AlphaTauri have managed 10 points in three races, Williams one but Aston Martin are yet to open their account in 2022.
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