F1 Imola 2025 Grand Prix Preview: Key Highlights, Track Guide & Race Expectations
Welcome to the 2025 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix preview — Round 7 of the Formula 1 season!
Commonly referred to as the Imola Grand Prix, this iconic race marks F1’s full return to Europe and kicks off the second triple-header of the season. With major upgrades, track challenges, and historical significance, the 2025 Imola GP promises high-stakes competition and drama.
Key Schedule (UK Time, BST)
- Free Practice 1: Friday, 12:30 PM
- Free Practice 2: Friday, 4:00 PM
- Free Practice 3: Saturday, 11:30 AM
- Qualifying: Saturday, 3:00 PM
- Race: Sunday, 2:00 PM
Weather Forecast
- Friday: 18°C and sunny
- Saturday-Sunday: Warming up to 21°C
- Rain chance: Only 15% on Sunday — expect mostly dry conditions
🔥 What to Watch: 2025 Imola GP Talking Points
1. The Champion’s Circuit
Every winner of the Imola race since its F1 return has gone on to become the World Champion that year. Could Imola once again predict this season’s champion?
2. Major Upgrades Incoming
Many teams are introducing major or distributed car upgrades, positioning Imola as a key turning point in the development race — especially with the summer break and 2026 regulation changes on the horizon.
McLaren reintroduces its diffuser upgrade initially tested in Jeddah but skipped in Miami.
Red Bull’s new floor showed minimal gains in Miami, so new improvements are expected this weekend.
Mercedes confirms “visible” upgrades; Russell’s consistency and Antonelli’s development pace are encouraging.
Ferrari returns home after a tough weekend but with unwavering tifosi support and incremental upgrades planned for the next three races.
3. Midfield Madness
Haas brings a significant upgrade package to solve high-speed cornering issues and aero instability.
Williams surprised with a double-points finish in Miami and may now shift full focus to 2026 development.
Aston Martin scored a surprising 14 points thanks to Stroll; Alonso’s next move remains under close watch.
4. Driver Drama
Alpine steals headlines off-track with leadership and driver changes. Rookie Franco Colapinto may get one of his five race-weekend outings.
Sauber celebrates its 600th Grand Prix (under various names like BMW or Alfa Romeo) at Imola.
🏁 Track Guide: Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari
- Location: Imola, Italy
- Circuit length: 4.909 km
- Laps: 63
- Total distance: 309.049 km
- Max speed: ~304 km/h
- Corners: 19 (10 left, 9 right)
- Elevation change: 34.4 meters
- DRS zone: One, on the main straight
This is a counter-clockwise circuit and a driver favorite. It hosted the San Marino GP (1981–2006) before returning to the calendar as the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in 2020.
Notable stats:
- Senna: 8 poles
- Schumacher: 7 wins
- Ferrari & Williams: 8 wins each
- Fastest race lap: 1:15.484 (Hamilton, 2020)
- Pole record: 1:14.746 (Verstappen, 2024)
Key Corners:
- Tamburello: A fast left-right chicane following the DRS zone — a prime overtaking spot
- Tosa: The slowest hairpin on the track
- Acque Minerali: High-speed downhill turns requiring precision
- Variante Alta & Rivazza: Final technical corners before blasting down the straight
🇮🇹 Historic Significance & Contract Status
The contract for Imola’s F1 race is set to expire in 2025, and current talks to extend its place on the calendar haven’t progressed smoothly. However, a rotating race deal remains a possibility for the future.
Final Thoughts
Imola is more than just a race — it’s a historic proving ground. With teams pushing development before a regulation overhaul and multiple drivers at career crossroads, the 2025 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix may define this season’s trajectory.
Whether you’re cheering for Ferrari at home, watching rookies rise, or just here for wheel-to-wheel action, don’t miss what promises to be a pivotal weekend in the 2025 F1 season.