Lewis Hamilton will experience the full fury of the Tifosi this weekend when Formula 1 thunders into Imola—not as a rival, but as one of their own. The seven-time world champion will compete in a grand prix for the first time as a Ferrari driver, ushering in a significant phase of his legendary career. His season has been quite the ride so far, with a flurry of performances in between winning a sprint event and being disqualified.
Franco Colapinto returns to the Formula One grid in the meantime, wearing Alpine colors this time. He will be replaced by Jack Doohan as part of the team's five-race driver rotation as they continue to test lineup dynamics and collect important data.
The talented Argentine driver gained notoriety last season when he replaced Logan Sargeant at Williams during the Italian Grand Prix and went on to compete in the final nine races. Franco Colapinto has a smaller window and a more difficult task ahead of him this time. He has only five races scheduled, so he needs to earn every lap in order to win over Alpine chief Flavio Briatore and establish his candidacy for a full-time position.
Imola's future on the Formula 1 schedule is still up in the air. The circuit's current contract is scheduled to expire after the 2025 season, despite the fact that it is still a fan favorite with a rich history. Additionally, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali claims that it is getting harder to hold two Grands Prix in Italy, which is a subliminal hint that Imola might soon drop off the grid.
This race has all the makings of a memorable event if it is Imola's final race, especially since the weather can cause the action to be disrupted. The forecast is for sunshine on Friday and Saturday, with highs of 21°C. However, Sunday presents a different scenario. The Grand Prix is expected to be dramatic and unpredictable due to the forecasted scattered showers throughout the day.
Oscar Piastri, who has won three in a row and is solidly established as the bookies' top pick, is riding high going into Imola. The McLaren driver exudes confidence, and for good reason.
Don't discount Max Verstappen just yet, though. As a stark reminder of his one-lap prowess, the Dutchman won qualifying in Miami and has since taken the lead in three of the last four Grands Prix. The odds might be in his favor if he can lock up the front row in Imola once more. There aren't many opportunities to pass here, and since tire degradation is predicted to be limited, McLaren's usual race-day advantage could not be useful.
Therefore, we're defying expectations and supporting Verstappen to win this weekend, despite the hype surrounding Piastri.
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