After three opening flyaway races, F1 returns to Europe for the first time this season at Imola for the 2022 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
This event marks the first of a new four-year contract for Imola after having only returned as replacement Grands Prix in 2020 & 21 due to the Coronavirus pandemic, meaning that Ferrari and AlphaTauri will now have two home races until the end of 2025 season.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc meanwhile enters this race as the championship leader with a 34 point lead over George Russell, as F1 sees the return of the Sprint Qualifying weekend format for the first time this season with various tweaks including points for the top eight finishers in the Sprint.
Now here is everything that you need to know ahead of the 2022 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
Track Guide
Laps: 63
Race Distance: 309.049km
Tyre Compounds: C2, C3 & C4
Schedule
| Date | Session | Time (BST) |
| Friday 22 April | FP1 | 12:30pm |
| Friday 22 April | Qualifying | 4:00pm |
| Saturday 23 April | FP2 | 11:30am |
| Saturday 23 April | Sprint Qualifying | 3:30pm |
| Sunday 24 April | Race | 2:00pm |
Five Key Pointers
- Given the similarities in track characteristics between Albert Park and Imola, Ferrari will come into this race as favourites for a third victory in four races.
- This weekend sees Sprint Qualifying Races return but with the top eight drivers receiving points this season, we should see drivers attack that particular Qualifying race more than they did last season.
- With rain forecast throughout Friday, there is the possibility for a mixed up Qualifying grid for the Sprint Qualifying which will only boost the possibility of an entertaining Sprint Qualifying race.
- Following another fuel related issue, Red Bull will be eager to hit back and prove that issue won’t become a recurring theme throughout this season.
- Alpine are rumoured to be bringing a huge upgrade which could see them build on their performance in Australia and look to fight at the front.
Last Time Out
Max Verstappen dominated the race on F1’s visit to Imola in 2021 in wet-to-dry conditions after diving up the inside of Lewis Hamilton into Tamburello on Lap One, from which he proceeded to control the race.
Hamilton eventually finished second ahead of Lando Norris after recovering from a wide moment at Tosa on Lap 31, just one lap before Valtteri Bottas and Russell collided on the run to Tamburello which caused a 27 minute red flag.
Sergio Perez meanwhile spun at Variante Villeneuve on Lap 38 which dropped him from fourth to 14th, with the Mexican only able to recover to 12th at the checkered flag.
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