Components 1 returns this week, with the grid kicking off the European portion of the schedule with the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. This week is more likely to be an emotional one for the game, because the grid returns to Imola for the primary time since 2022, with final yr’s race canceled because of devastating flooding within the area. As well as, this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix marks 30 years for the reason that 1994 San Marino Grand Prix at Imola, which noticed the tragic deaths of rookie driver Roland Ratzenberger, and the legendary Ayrton Senna.
On the observe, numerous groups are bringing upgrades to Imola, hoping for improved efficiency. One workforce in search of a “reset” following the Miami Grand Prix is Sauber. It was a battle for the workforce in Miami, as each Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu completed behind the sector within the Miami Grand Prix, in addition to the F1 Dash Race in Miami.
“We head to Imola for the primary race of the European leg, aiming for a reset after what has been a troublesome weekend in Miami. We’ve got had two weeks to regroup, analyse what went incorrect final outing and ensure we tackle it,” stated Workforce Consultant Alessandro Alunni Bravi in Sauber’s media preview.
He famous that Sauber are among the many groups bringing upgrades to Imola.
“Though we’re but so as to add factors to our tally this season, we all know we have now the efficiency to take action and we have now been within the combine in most races – we’re assured in our means, and the upgrades we’re bringing this week are a testomony to the relentless work put in by the house workforce in Hinwil,” added Alunni Bravi. “We’ve got seen over latest occasions how tight the sector is, and the way making it previous the Q2 or Q3 thresholds is usually a matter of hundredths of seconds. Our objective, now greater than ever, is to be able to take any alternative that will come up, and to take advantage of it to progress.”
Bottas famous the wealthy historical past of Imola, whereas outlining how the workforce hopes to show the “classes” from Miami into “enhancements.”
“It’s nice to be again in Imola – an old-school observe with a lot historical past and one that’s loads of enjoyable to drive. It’s at all times an [honor] to be racing in such an historic venue, supported by the Italian followers on the grandstands, and I hope the return to Europe will mark a swing in our season’s fortunes,” stated the Sauber driver.
“Though Miami wasn’t actually our weekend, it nonetheless allowed us to be taught rather a lot, and hopefully we will flip these classes into enhancements. We’re set to deliver some updates this weekend, which ought to permit us to make a step ahead – and hopefully rating our first factors of the season,” added Bottas. “After a couple of powerful races, I’m motivated to do nicely right here in Imola and subsequent week in Monaco, to kick off the European leg of the calendar in the absolute best approach.”
Zhou Guanyu really turned in the most effective consequence from Sauber in Miami, ending in P11 within the F1 Dash Race. This weekend will mark his second time racing in F1 on the historic venue, the place he positioned PP15 again in the course of the 2022 season.
“The complete workforce has been working exhausting over the previous two weeks, regrouping after Miami and specializing in finalising the upgrades we will likely be bringing to Imola. I’m completely happy to be racing once more on this observe, following the cancellation of final yr’s occasion. I’ve fond recollections of the time I spent on this area, racing as a junior, and I at all times take pleasure in visiting,” described Zhou.
“With the brand new bits on our automotive, and a special observe structure from Miami, we’re assured and motivated to make a constructive change to our season,” added the Sauber driver. “Getting issues proper from the very first session will likely be essential: we have now seen how essential it’s to qualify in place and hopefully this can assist us get again within the combine to battle for factors on Sunday.”
