Preview Emilia-Romagna GP | Can the rain stop Verstappen?

For the first time this season, Formula 1 sets foot on mainland Europe. Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez will undoubtedly try to secure the sixth Grand Prix victory for Red Bull Racing this season as well. Ferrari are probably already happy with a place on the podium, as is Aston Martin. And what will happen to Mercedes, which will show an updated car?

Hardly anyone in the F1 paddock seems to be under any illusions: in dry conditions, Red Bull Racing are also the team to beat in Italy. Only: there are unlikely to be dry conditions. It will almost certainly be wet, very wet at the historic Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari. Really, Red Bull will not have many worries about that immediately, as the team has one of the best rain drivers on the grid in Max Verstappen. Last season, too, the Dutchman managed to take victory in wet conditions.

New Pirelli rain tyres

One uncertainty though is Pirelli's rain tyre. The Italian brand is introducing a new rain tyre in their home country, which does not need to go into a tyre blanket beforehand. No doubt good for the environment, but it remains to be seen whether drivers will be enthusiastic about this new compound. Anyway, Pirelli tyres are a hot topic this weekend, as Formula 1 try a new format in qualifying.

Namely, it is imposed that drivers have to time in Q1 with the hard tyre, in Q2 with the mediums and in Q3 with the soft compound. Should the track be wet during qualifying, the plans will expire and teams will naturally use intermediates and/or rain tyres.

Updates for Mercedes

Wet conditions distinguish the men from the boys, to use a cliché. Lewis Hamilton, too, usually thrives when it rains. For the seven-time world champion, rain would represent an excellent opportunity to end his drought - in this case, the time he did not win a Grand Prix. Who knows what is possible for Mercedes, which will come to the start in Imola with the necessary updates. For instance, the Germans are using new sidepods, a different floor and a new front suspension.

No doubt Red Bull and Mercedes fans will be far outnumbered next weekend. This is because the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix will be held in Ferrari's home country, so the stands will be red. Will the Ferrari's be able to break through? No doubt Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are going to be fast over one lap, but it would be a huge surprise if the updates also brought by them have significantly reduced the gap to Red Bull.

But yes, that rain, then.

Timetable of the 2023 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix [UK times]

Friday

First free practice: 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

Second free practice: 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Saturday
Third free practice: 11:30 pm - 12:30 pm

Qualifying: 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Sunday
Grand Prix: 2:00 pm