Home victory with the tifosi for Ferrari? F1 Sprint + 5 things to watch for - 2022 Emilia Romagna GP Preview

Ferrari's first home race of the season - the tifosi will be out in full force. Will they be celebrating a Ferrari win? Or will Red Bull Racing have found an answer to their pace and reliability woes? Also, it's AlphaTauri's home race, too.

It's also time for the first F1 Sprint of the 2022 Formula 1 season. The drama has only peaked each time we had a Sprint last season. What's to expect this year? Also, new rules for Sprint from 2022.

The Spaniards, Germans and Canadians need a change of performance in Imola for the 'Formula 1 Rolex Gran Premio Del Made in Italy e Dell'Emilia Romagna 2022' race (bwoy, that's a mouthful!). And of course, Ferrari needs to be challenged, too. Who will it be? 

Join Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah on this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast as they preview the 2022 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

Tune in!

(Season 2022, Episode 23)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Ferrari

# Inside Line F1 Podcast: Preview of the 2022 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix

## Introduction

- The excitement builds as Formula One returns to Imola, Italy, the home of the passionate Tifosi, for the "Formula 1 Rolex Gran Premio Del Made in Italy e Dell'Emilia Romagna 2022" race.
- The anticipation is heightened by the introduction of the first F1 Sprint of the season, which has consistently delivered dramatic moments in the past.
- The spotlight is on the underperforming teams from Spain, Germany, and Canada, who are eager to turn their fortunes around at Imola.
- Ferrari's dominance has been the talk of the season, but can Red Bull Racing find a solution to their pace and reliability issues to challenge the Prancing Horse?

## Sprint Race and New Rules

- The F1 Sprint makes its return, adding an extra layer of excitement to the weekend.
- The sprint winner will be awarded pole position for the main race, and points will be given to the top eight finishers.
- Teams face a strategic dilemma: bring upgrades for the sprint or focus on data collection for future races?

## Track Characteristics and Team Performance

- The historic Imola circuit, with its fast-flowing and punishing layout, poses a unique challenge for the drivers and teams.
- Overtakes are expected to be difficult due to the circuit's narrowness, but the elevation changes and constant curb changes promise an entertaining spectacle.
- The weather forecast predicts rain, which could further spice up the race and test the limits of the new cars.

## Driver and Team Struggles

- Several drivers and teams are under pressure to deliver strong performances at Imola.
- Carlos Sainz, Fernando Alonso, Mick Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, Nicholas Latifi, and Lance Stroll need to step up their game and score points.
- McLaren's performance in Australia raises questions about whether their improvement was track-specific or a genuine solution to their pace issues.
- Aston Martin remains the only team yet to score a point this season, and Sebastian Vettel's lack of success at Imola in recent years adds to their concerns.

## Predictions

- Kunal Shah predicts Max Verstappen for pole position and the race win, while Soumil Arora goes with Carlos Sainz for the pole and Verstappen for the victory.

## Conclusion

- The 2022 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix promises to be a thrilling event, with the Tifosi cheering on Ferrari, the introduction of the F1 Sprint, and the potential for rain adding to the drama.
- The midfield battle is expected to be intense, with several teams and drivers looking to make their mark.
- The outcome of the race could have significant implications for the championship standings, making it a crucial weekend for all involved.