2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix: Three Teams to Look Out for As Formula 1 Heads Back to Imola

• Formula 1 returns to Emilia Romagna for round seven of the pulsating 2024 season
• The race at the iconic Imola circuit is set to feature teams bringing loads of upgrades
• Sports Brief spotlights three teams to keep a close eye on ahead of the event in Italy

Formula 1 makes its eagerly awaited return to Imola for another thrilling instalment of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

This iconic Italian race has become synonymous with high-speed drama, featuring nerve-wracking moments and pulsating action.

The anticipation for the 2024 edition of the Grand Prix is at an all-time high, especially following the events that panned out at the Miami Grand Prix in Florida.

Several teams, including Red Bull Racing, who had a seemingly underwhelming outing considering their lofty standard, are heading into this race weekend with several upgrades to their car.

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In light of this, Sports Brief spotlights three teams to keep a close watch on at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

Teams to look out for at the Emilia Romagna race

Red Bull Racing

The Milton Keynes team had a subpar outing by their lofty standards at the Miami race, managing only a second and fourth-place finish for drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, respectively.

The team seemed somewhat out of sorts at the Florida race, as they struggled throughout the entire Grand Prix weekend in America.

However, according to reports from media outlet OE24 Sports, the Austrian team heads into the Emilia Romagna race with massive upgrades to the already dominant RB20 car.

In the words of Red Bull’s Chief of Driver development programme, Helmut Marko, the upgrades are expected to perform significantly. Drawing conclusions from the string of recent significant upgrades the team has made to their car since the 2022 season, this could further widen the gap between the Milton Keynes team and the rest of the Formula 1 grid.

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Scuderia Ferrari

It’s been a while since any team have generated buzz about an upgrade like the Maranello team have with their Imola upgrades.

Since the conclusion of the Bahrain Grand Prix, drivers and team staff alike have hinted that their 2024 season will kick into high gear with the introduction of these upgrades at Imola. With the race at Imola only days away, anticipation is at a fever pitch regarding the performance of the upgraded Ferrari SF-24 car.

Reports from Italian outlet Formu1a.uno suggest some notable changes, including updates to the side pod inlet and front wing design of the SF-24 car, which are expected to add a few tenths from the current pace of the car.

Team principal, Frederic Vasseur, also suggested that the Imola upgrades will bring the Italian team much closer to consistently challenging the Red Bulls.

McLaren Racing

The Woking team stunned the Formula 1 grid by clinching victory at the 2024 Miami Grand Prix. The victory which is the team’s first since Daniel Ricciardo’s last win in 2021, appeared to be particularly special for everyone at McLaren.

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However, it cannot be overlooked that the team arrived at the Miami race with one of the most extensive upgrade packages of any team so far this season.

Nonetheless, while the British team capitalised on the upgrades, securing their first race win in three years, it's important to note that the advantage of a perfectly timed safety car played a significant role in their success.

It should also be noted that Lando Norris, who was reportedly running the full upgrade package for the MCL38 car, struggled to overtake any of the Red Bulls during the Grand Prix, despite them facing some damage and tyre degradation issues.

This raises the question of whether the upgrades are as effective outside of Miami or if their success was specific to that circuit.

This will surely be a question that Team Principal, Andrea Stella, will face in Imola as they once again look to challenge Red Bull for a potential race victory.

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Formula 1 destructors’ championship

Sports Brief in another report highlighted a list of Formula 1 drivers leading the destructors’ standings.

The list featured Williams Racing driver, Alex Albon, among others on the grid.