Entertaining, eventful F1 races, Made in Italy

In the hours leading up to today’s race, F1 finally announced that a deal had been agreed that would include Miami on the schedule starting next season. In the meantime, there is no word about the imminent cancellation of the Canadian Grand Prix, which will take place in just one race a few weeks.

But that’s F1. As we’ve always said, the sport lived in its own little bubble long before the pandemic.

Another proof that the sport lives in a parallel universe is the official title of today’s race, the great named Formula 1 Pirelli Gran Premio Del Made in Italy E Dell’emilia Romagna 2021.

Earlier this week one of the title sponsors – there are two – Pirelli stated that the event would help “demonstrate to the world the prestige of” Made in Italy “.

A somewhat ironic claim given the circumstances, because without getting too political, even the most basic research will soon show why Italy was one of the European nations hardest hit by the pandemic, especially in the early days. While many of the goods originating in Italy may bear the prestigious Made in Italy label, the workers who make them are largely not Italians or the companies that make them.

But we digress.

The expected rain showers don’t look like they’re going to happen at the moment, but we should be prepared for a great race.

While Sergio Perez starts alongside Lewis Hamilton, the Mexican is on softs, while the British and Max Verstappen are on the media.

With Valtteri Bottas from eighth place, Hamilton not only faces two bulls, the Austrian team also has the luxury of having its drivers on different strategies.

Although Perez was delighted with his qualifying position and admitted that a late mistake had likely cost him pole, Verstappen was barely able to contain his frustration at missing out on the coveted starting position. The Dutchman described his last lap as “chaotic”.

Though we’ve gotten used – and very bored – to Mercedes forever playing out its outsider stance, Pete Bonnington’s surprise with his boy, Hamilton, who claimed pole position, couldn’t be overlooked. In fact, the world champion seemed just as shocked.

From this dynamic trio we take a trip to the Twilight Zone, where anything can – and usually does – happen.

Ferrari has been on pace all weekend and while Leclerc put in another of his impressive qualifying performances, teammate Sainz failed to make it through the second quarter and has a difficult afternoon ahead of him.

Ferrari carefully downplayed its chances this year, but there’s no reason Leclerc shouldn’t take decent points this afternoon, and maybe even a few from his Spanish team-mate.

It was a mixed fate for AlphaTauri. Little Yuki crashed in the first quarter, breaking his gearbox and starting from behind, while Gasly qualified fifth after another epic effort.

After his race was compromised before it barely started in Bahrain, the Frenchman is only hoping for a smooth short break this afternoon. After that, he will hopefully show us what the AT02 can do. As for Tsunoda, the excited Japanese driver’s offer to get into the points should be worth the price of admission.

For the second time in a row, Lando Norris starts behind his McLaren team-mate, although much of the weekend so far has belonged to the Briton. After Norris only slightly missed the start in the front row, he will definitely be able to make up for yesterday’s expensive Q3 mistake, while Daniel Ricciardo can always rely on him to give 100%.

From eighth place and like his Mercedes team-mate, we have Bottas on the medium, who, aside from the task of overtaking McLarens, Gasly and Leclerc, will probably be exposed to strong pressure from behind, especially at the beginning and the beginning, which will do you well to keep it intact by the end of the opening round.

From there, we’re essentially moving into the F1 equivalent of the Wild West, with Ocon, Stroll, Sainz, Russell, Vettel, Latifi, Alonso, and the Alfa pair sure to sparkle.

As we’ve seen, it’s notoriously difficult to overtake here, so most of the time, apart from the drivers who are willing to try, they will rely on strategy as Mercedes Red Bull does in Bahrain It will be fascinating to see how things develop today.

Aside from Aston Martin’s call to change the aero rules, track restrictions continue to dominate and have proven to be a real problem this weekend. However, as Norris recognizes, rules are rules and must be followed.

Assuming it actually stays dry, most drivers today will be from a single source for three main reasons. First, it is difficult to overtake the narrow limits. secondly, the time lost in the pit lane is almost half a minute; third, tire wear and deterioration is relatively low.

A two-stopper will definitely be slower so teams will try to avoid it whenever possible. The location of the route is key and avoiding traffic is important, so when to stop is critical. An advantage can often be gained by undercutting direct competitors. Therefore, the selected strategy must also take this into account.

It starts raining just under an hour before the start. However, in order to improve the fun and games, only part of the track is affected, Tosa, while the rest of the track is dry.

As the drivers drive off, Verstappen, who is at the intersection, reports “massive rain”, while Alonso sets off and hits the barrier lightly. As before, it still only rains in a certain part of the circuit.

Alonso is facing a new front wing.

“The last sector is pretty dry,” reports Norris, “the rest is patchy.”

Meanwhile, both Aston Martins seem to have problems with the rear brakes, Vettels smoke while those of his teammates are on fire. “Drive fast to clear it,” the Canadian is told.

Apart from the rain, the air temperature is only 9.8 ° C, while the track temperature is 18.1 ° C.

Bottas is informed that he has a flat tire from the left rear. “OK, interesting,” he replies.

A walk comes to the starting grid and his crew gets to work.

Even though the rain has stopped, a lot of stagnant water remains. Meanwhile, a heavy fog lingers over a large part of the route.

After a national anthem sung with great enthusiasm, the Italian Air Force flies by.

While the clock is running, work continues on the two Aston Martins.

Hamilton is told there will be a light shower about ten minutes after the race, but nothing after that, let alone heavy rain.

According to the race control, there is a 80% chance of rain.

While the Soft / Medium launch strategy is out of the window, we must now look for the switch from Wets / Inters to Slicks.

Gasly, Ocon, Schumacher and Mazepin start with full wet, the rest is on Inters.

Vettel starts in the pit lane because the team could not finish the work on his car in time.

The field starts in the warm-up lap. While the grid is dry, Tosa comes we see the traditional tap sprays.

Leclerc turns around on the formation lap, the Monegasque is lucky enough to get through the gravel trap.

Lots of understandably nervous faces on the pit wall and in the garages.

Check out our Imola Sunday gallery here.