Oscar Piastri heads into the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix full of momentum after winning three races in a row. The McLaren driver now leads the championship and hopes to strengthen his title bid as the Formula 1 season begins its first European leg.
As F1 kicks off a triple-header of races in Europe, attention is not just on Piastri or Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, but also on Ferrari, who are struggling to meet expectations in front of their home fans.
Ferrari Under Pressure at Home
Ferrari has endured a disappointing start to the season, with lackluster results in the first six races. Their star signing, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, has yet to shine. This weekend, both he and Charles Leclerc face the pressure of performing at home in Imola, a historic track loved by the passionate Ferrari fans known as the tifosi.
Despite Hamilton’s sprint race win in Shanghai, he hasn’t secured a podium finish in a Grand Prix. The team is already trailing McLaren by 152 points in the standings. In the previous race in Miami, Hamilton and Leclerc were left battling for seventh place.
Leclerc: We’ve Taken Risks with the Car
Charles Leclerc, in his seventh year at Ferrari, admitted that the team has been experimenting with car set-ups in an effort to solve their performance issues.
“On my side, we’ve gone in quite extreme directions in terms of set-up to extract a bit more from the car,” he said. “It’s always very difficult to compare drivers’ settings to explain things.”
Hamilton Goes Quiet on Social Media
Amid the on-track struggles, Hamilton made headlines off the track by unfollowing everyone on Instagram — including Ferrari and even his dog Roscoe. With nearly 40 million followers, the move signals a possible shift in focus as he prepares for his Ferrari debut on Italian soil.
Rising Star Antonelli Makes Home Debut
Over at Mercedes, 18-year-old Italian Kimi Antonelli is preparing for his first home race. He’s made a strong impression this season, becoming the youngest driver to earn a sprint pole, lead a race, and set a fastest lap. He’s teamed up with George Russell and brings fresh excitement to the Silver Arrows.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff called it a “special occasion” for Antonelli, who grew up near the Imola circuit. “But it’s also a race like any other that is worth 25 points and that’s all that counts,” he added.
Piastri Leads Title Race, Verstappen in Pursuit
While Antonelli is gaining attention, Oscar Piastri has been the most consistent and composed driver so far. He now leads team-mate Lando Norris by 16 points and holds a 32-point lead over Max Verstappen, who’s had to push his Red Bull to its limits just to stay in the fight.
“McLaren have got the car to beat at the moment,” said Red Bull team boss Christian Horner. “That’s quite clear and they’re going to be tough to beat over the next few races.”
Challenging Circuits Ahead
Imola, known for its fast, flowing layout, offers few overtaking opportunities, making qualifying and strategy even more crucial. After Imola, the season moves to Monaco — where a new rule will require all teams to make two pit stops — and then to Spain.
Colapinto Returns as Alpine Shake-Up Continues
In other news, Argentine driver Franco Colapinto returns to the grid, replacing Australian Jack Doohan at Alpine. The change follows the unexpected resignation of team principal Oliver Oakes. Colapinto previously competed in nine races for Williams last season.
