2024 F1 Emilia-Romagna GP: Formula Weekend with F1, F2, and F3
Get ready for an action-packed weekend as the 2024 F1 Emilia-Romagna GP gears up to deliver high-octane thrills at the iconic Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari. This year’s event promises to be a spectacular showcase of speed and skill, featuring not only the pinnacle of motorsport with Formula 1 but also the rising stars of Formula 2 and Formula 3. Fans from around the world are eagerly anticipating the return of this historic Grand Prix, where legendary moments are made, and racing dreams come true.
2024 F1 Emilia-Romagna GP Formula 1: We’re Gearing to Go
As the 2024 F1 Emilia-Romagna GP approaches, excitement is building for what promises to be an exhilarating weekend at the historic Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari. This year’s event is packed with thrilling races and significant developments in the world of Formula 1.
Albon Signs Multi-Year Contract Extension with Williams
In a major announcement before the 2024 F1 Emilia-Romagna GP, Alexander Albon has signed a multi-year contract extension with Williams, ensuring his place with the team into the new regulation era starting in 2026. Albon, who has been with Williams since the start of the 2022 season, has proven his worth with a series of strong performances.
Albon expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “I am incredibly happy to be remaining with Williams Racing and to continue working with such a talented and dedicated team of people. It has been a difficult start to the year but since joining Williams we have made significant progress together and I have seen the huge changes happening behind the scenes to take us back to the front of the grid.”
James Vowles, Williams’ Team Principal, added, “We are delighted to secure Alex’s long-term future with Williams Racing. He has exceptional talent, technical input, and dedication to the cause and this is a huge vote of confidence in Williams and the journey back to competitiveness that we are on.”
With Albon’s future secured before the 2024 F1 Emilia-Romagna GP, Williams is now focusing on finding the right teammate for him for the 2025 season. They are considering several drivers, including Mercedes junior and F2 racer Kimi Antonelli.
Remembering Ayrton Senna
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Ayrton Senna’s tragic loss at Imola, a three-time world champion who remains an iconic figure in Formula 1. The 2024 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola serves as a poignant reminder of Senna’s lasting impact on the sport.
A Glimpse of Imola’s Legacy
Imola, or the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, has been a fixture in the world of motorsport since its inception. The circuit, known for its thrilling and challenging layout, has hosted numerous memorable races over the decades. The anti-clockwise track features famous corners like Acque Minerali and Piratella, offering a unique and adrenaline-pumping experience for both drivers and fans.
Why Visit Imola?
Imola is nestled in a picturesque region, surrounded by the Tuscan hills, Adriatic beaches, and culinary havens like Bologna, Parma, and Modena. It’s also close to Ferrari’s headquarters in Maranello, making it a must-visit for F1 enthusiasts. Visiting Imola provides fans with an opportunity to pay their respects to Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger, who tragically lost their lives at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.
Best Viewing Spots
The stand on the outside of Acque Minerali is one of the best places to watch the action. From here, you can witness the drivers pushing their cars to the limit, struggling to slow down for the tight right-hander before accelerating up the hill to the Variante Alta chicane.
2024 F1 Emilia-Romagna GP Formula 1 Racing Schedule (SAST)
17 May
- Practice 1: 13:30 – 14:30
- Practice 2: 17:00 – 18:00
18 May
- Practice 3: 12:30 – 13:30
- Qualifying: 16:00 – 17:00
19 May
- Race: 15:00
Stay tuned for more updates and in-depth coverage of the 2024 F1 Emilia-Romagna GP on Driver Digest SA. It’s going to be an unforgettable weekend of racing action! Don’t miss any of it with our Formula 1 category!
2024 Emilia-Romagna GP Formula 2: Imola Awaits
It’s time to head back to Imola for what will be the fourth round of the 2024 FIA Formula 2 campaign. There has been no shortage of drama already at this very early stage of the season, with five different winners from six races so far.
Rodin Motorsport and Zane Maloney are the only repeat winners thus far, but they are far from runaway leaders going into the European leg of the year. Most recently, Campos Racing stood on the top step, with Isack Hadjar securing Melbourne Feature Race glory after losing the Sprint victory to a post-race penalty the day prior.
Will the Spanish team remain the ones to beat, or are we set for another new winner in 2024? Here are a few key points to watch this weekend.
Coming of Age for Campos in F2’s New Era
Campos Racing heads to Imola with great momentum. After a successful outing in Melbourne, the team continued to build their form during the in-season testing in Barcelona. Josep María Martí set the fastest time on day two, followed by Isack Hadjar, who topped the overall time charts on day three.
Adrian Campos Jr, Team Principal, remarked, “I think that the team has been improving a lot in the last few years. We have a very strong team in every aspect, in every department, and we are starting to see this in the results.” Will their impressive form carry over to Europe, or will the competitive order take another twist that nobody saw coming?
How Important is Pole?
It’s rather counterintuitive that around such an old-school venue, the polesitter has yet to take victory in Formula 2 at Imola. This trend applies to both the Sprint and Feature races, with drivers starting from second and back often turning out victorious. Last year, Feature Race polesitter Juri Vips was swamped by rivals after a slow launch, while Marcus Armstrong cleared Logan Sargeant at lights out but wasn’t the victor in the Sprint Race.
In 2022, Théo Pourchaire, who started seventh on the grid, drove a measured race to take the Feature Race victory. While pole position provides crucial points, history shows that those missing out on pole might not be out of contention for the race win at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari.
The Form Book
Following the most recent race weekend in Melbourne, where Isack Hadjar and Campos Racing were the latest victors, the team carried that form into testing. Hadjar set the fastest time overall during the three-day test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, with Martí also topping the charts on day two.
In the Championship battle, Rodin Motorsport and Zane Maloney remain the combination to beat, leading with 62 points. Hitech Pulse-Eight’s Paul Aron, the highest-ranked rookie, follows with 47 points. Dennis Hauger, Isack Hadjar, and Kush Maini round out the top five.
The Championship Standings
Rodin Motorsport leads the Teams’ Championship with 78 points, closely followed by Campos Racing with 60 points. Hitech Pulse-Eight is third, just three points behind Campos. MP Motorsport and Invicta Racing round out the top five teams.
The break is over, and Formula 2 returns to the track for Round 4 at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola. Every team and driver remained busy throughout the gap, with in-season testing in April setting the stage for the upcoming races. Stay tuned for more exciting updates as we head into another thrilling weekend of Formula 2 action with our Formula 2 category!
F2 Race Schedule (Track Times)
- Free Practice: Friday, 11:05 – 11:50
- Qualifying Session: Friday, 16:00 – 16:30
- Sprint Race: Saturday, 14:15 – 15:00
- Feature Race: Sunday, 10:00 – 11:00
2024 Emilia-Romagna GP Formula 3: Imola Preview
After a break since their last race in Melbourne, the Formula 3 drivers are set to return to action this weekend at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola. During the downtime, teams have been hard at work, particularly during the in-season testing in Barcelona. This weekend marks the start of a back-to-back series with Imola leading into Monte Carlo.
Home Teams Aiming for Victory
PREMA Racing and Trident, the two Italian teams, are looking to shine on home soil. Both teams are leading the Teams’ Championship, with Trident aiming to replicate their 2022 success at Imola, where Zane Maloney secured pole and Roman Stanek won the Feature Race. PREMA, having won races in the first two rounds of the season, aims to extend their championship lead and secure their fifth Teams’ Title in six seasons.
Campos Racing’s Strong Testing Performance
Campos Racing emerged from the in-season tests in Barcelona with impressive results, particularly through Mari Boya, who set the fastest times on the second and third days. Oliver Goethe also showed strong form, and Sebastián Montoya made significant progress after recovering from illness. The big question is whether Campos can maintain this momentum in Imola and compete for top positions in Qualifying and the races.
Rookies Returning to Familiar Tracks
The start of the season posed challenges for the 17 rookies, with races at unfamiliar tracks in Sakhir and Melbourne. Despite this, rookies like Arvid Lindblad and Martinius Stenshorne managed to secure wins in the Sprint Races, while Tim Tramnitz and Laurens van Hoepen reached the podium. Returning to well-known European tracks, beginning with Imola, is expected to boost their performance, potentially leading to more consistent front-runner finishes.
Drivers’ Championship Battle Resumes
The fight for the Drivers’ Title heats up again with Hitech Pulse-Eight’s Luke Browning and Trident’s Leonardo Fornaroli tied at the top with 37 points each. Close behind are PREMA teammates Gabriele Minì and Dino Beganovic. This weekend’s races at Imola offer a critical opportunity for drivers to gain an advantage in the championship standings or for new contenders to emerge.
F3 Race Schedule (Track Times)
- Practice: Friday, 09:55 – 10:40
- Qualifying: Friday, 15:05 – 15:35
- Sprint Race: Saturday, 10:05 – 10:50
- Feature Race: Sunday, 08:30 – 09:20
Stay tuned for more updates and in-depth coverage of the 2024 F1 Emilia-Romagna GP on Driver Digest SA. This weekend promises to deliver thrilling Formula 3 action! Also, be sure to check out our Formula 3 category for other upcoming news!
How to Watch the 2024 F1 Emilia-Romagna GP in South Africa
It’s race weekend with the 2024 F1 Emilia-Romagna GP, and South African fans can catch all the thrilling F1, F2, and F3 action live on DStv Supersport, specifically on channel 215. This channel will provide comprehensive coverage of the entire weekend, ensuring you don’t miss a moment of high-speed excitement.
For those who prefer streaming, F1 TV offers live coverage of all the Formula 1 action. Additionally, the F1, F2, and F3 YouTube channels will also provide highlights and updates, giving you multiple ways to stay connected to the races.
Be sure to tune in at the right times to catch all the live events:
DStv Supersport Channel 215:
- F1, F2, and F3 live coverage throughout the weekend.
F1 TV:
- Live streaming of all F1 sessions.
YouTube Channels:
- F1, F2, and F3 channels for highlights and updates.
Stay tuned and enjoy the exhilarating races at the 2024 F1 Emilia-Romagna GP!
