The first European race of 2024 brings Formula 1 to one of its most famous, and to some, most notorious venues. Imola once played hosted to the San Marino Grand Prix, and it was here, in 1994, that F1 lost one of its most legendary figures. Ayrton Senna, racing for Williams, went off track at speed through Tamburello, on lap seven of the race, and hit the barriers at 135 miles per hour. The three-time world champion, often regarded as the greatest of all time, died as a result of his injuries, and rocked F1 at a point where it was already reeling. The day before Senna’s accident, newcomer Roland Ratzenberger, driving for Simtek in only his third ever race, hit the barriers at speed when he lost control through Villeneuve Curva. Formula 1 had to do a lot of soul-searching in the coming weeks, months, and indeed years, with renewed efforts to protect the drivers.

At Imola, this would include modifications to the fast track. The 1994 layout would never again host a race, and for the following season, chicanes slowed certain sections of track. Track-side alterations rendered the circuit safer. Formula 1 continued to hold the San Marino Grand Prix until 2006, which was the last year of that incarnation of F1 races here.

Due to the covid-19 pandemic, F1 returned in 2020, in the form of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Of the four races held here (there was no race in 2023, due to regional flooding), Max Verstappen has won the previous three for Red Bull, with Lewis Hamilton winning in his Mercedes in 2020. On the basis of 2024 form, it seemed highly unlikely that Hamilton would on the podium, let alone winning, whilst Verstappen had started to find his groove, looking ominously quick.

Qualifying would do nothing to dissuade the belief of a Verstappen victory. He claimed yet another pole position, and did so without ever looking threatened. Ferrari briefly looked as though their cars could be quick around a local track, whilst Sergio Perez continued to look off the pace of his teammate. Down the pecking order, Liam Lawson was fortunate to reach qualifying at all, having binned his Meerkat into turn 9, a corner that would trouble several drivers down the course of the race. Nonetheless, both Meerkats reached Q2 again, a mark of consistency from the newcomers.

Would Meerkat Racing, or for that matter, Williams, Sauber or Alpine, pick up any points? So far, all four teams had none. At the other end, would anyone offer up a challenge to Verstappen? 63 laps around the fast Imola circuit would yield the answers. The run from turn 1, down to turns 2, 3 and 4, represents a long DRS zone, affording terrific opportunities to overtake. Turns 11, 12 and 13 form a surprisingly fast right-hand sequence that gives way to a left-hand kink, exciting for drivers and fans alike. The final two corners can offer a chance to tuck in close for good slipstream, ahead of the DRS zone. It is generally considered a good, old-school race track.

For a brief time, the Ferrari of Carlos Sainz looked like troubling Verstappen. There were a few dicey moments, and some good wheel-to-wheel action, but as the race wore on, Verstappen began to pull away. Behind them Lando Norris, who had qualified a credible second, came under attack from Charles Leclerc. Would he be able to keep his McLaren ahead of the Ferrari?

Behind the leaders, Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso was determined to make it up the field. He would exert early pressure on the Mercedes of George Russell, whilst Russell’s teammate Hamilton yet again found himself embroiled in a tussle with the Meerkat of Theo Pourchaire, grappling for 12th. The race certainly seemed to be developing into one of contrasts for teammates.

Liam Lawson had a miserable weekend. His accident in practice was compounded by a lock up early into his second stint, and his race ended with a contentious collision, when his car clunked against the Haas of Kevin Magnussen, going through Variante Alta. The pair had been going wheel-to-wheel through a section of track where two-into-one rarely works, and it ended both their races.

Once the first round of stops had been completed, it became apparent that Verstappen once again had the pace to see off all-comers. He would ease to his fifth win of the season, and thus grow his advantage in the standings yet again.

So, how are the standings after round seven?

Verstappen’s lead is now 39 points, whilst Sainz has edged towards Leclerc for second spot. There are no changes to the top ten in the standings this time around.

In the constructor’s championship, Red Bull have cut Ferrari’s lead to four points, whilst McLaren continue to look secure in third.

Next time, F1 graces one of its most incredible locations. Join us for Monaco!

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