The 2022 Formula 1 campaign is heading to Europe next with the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at the infamous Imola coming up.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc has been the star of the season so far, claiming glory in Bahrain and Melbourne to lead the Championship race.
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The Frenchman took a dominant victory in the Australian Grand Prix last weekend to move into a commanding position in the standings.
Last year’s main title contenders Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have struggled so far this term and will both be eager to put things right in Italy.
Imola is one of the most prestigious race-tracks on the calendar and should provide the perfect stage for another thrilling weekend of action.
Emilia Romagna GP: Date and UK start time
The race weekend in Imola is scheduled for Friday, April 22 to Sunday, April 24.
There will only be two practice sessions while qualifying is set for 4pm UK time on Friday.
This race will see the first of three Sprints this season. The Sprint is set for 3:30pm UK time on Saturday, April 23.
The race itself will get underway at 2pm UK time on the Sunday.
Emilia Romagna GP: Live stream and TV channel
Coverage will again be on Sky Sports F1 throughout the weekend. Their coverage of the Sprint will start at 2:30pm while Sunday’s race build-up begins at 12:30pm.
Sky Sports customers can live stream this via the app using their mobile, tablet or computer devices.
If not, you can purchase a Sky Sports Day Pass from NowTV for £9.99 while Channel Four will broadcast highlights later in the evening.
talkSPORT will have all of the best of the action from Italy throughout the week while talkSPORT.com will have a live blog for the race.
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Emilia Romagna GP: Qualification and Sprint
F1 Sprint was introduced last season and saw the grid compete across a 100km dash.
The Imola Sprint will be the first of three this season with the Austrian and Sao Paulo races to follow.
The points system has been changed from last year.
The top eight drivers will score points with the P1 driver receiving eight points, down to one point for P8.
It has also been confirmed that the driver who sets the fastest time in Friday’s qualifying will claim pole for the race and not who wins the Sprint.
Qualifying will also determine the grid for the Sprint, with the result of that then forming the line-up for the race itself.
Emilia Romagna GP: Driver Standings
Driver / Car / Points
- Charles Leclerc / Ferrari / 71
- George Russell / Mercedes / 37
- Carlos Sainz / Ferrari / 33
- Sergio Perez / Red Bull Racing / 30
- Lewis Hamilton / Mercedes / 28
- Max Verstappen / Red Bull Racing / 25
- Esteban Ocon / Alpine / 20
- Lando Norris / McLaren / 16
- Kevin Magnussen / Haas / 12
- Valtteri Bottas / Alfa Romeo / 12
- Daniel Ricciardo / McLaren / 8
- Pierre Gasly / Alphatauri / 6
- Yuki Tsounda / Alphatauri / 4
- Fernando Alonso / Alpine / 2
- Zhou Guanyu / Alfa Romeo / 1
- Alexander Albon / Williams / 1
- Mick Schumacher / Haas / 0
- Lance Stroll / Aston Martin / 0
- Nicholas Latifi / Williams / 0
- Nico Hulkenberg / Aston Martin / 0
- Sebastian Vettel / Aston Martin / 0
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Emilia Romagna GP: What has been said?
Lewis Hamilton has demanded Mercedes act now to salvage his dwindling title dreams.
“I will be on Zoom calls with our bosses, and really trying to rally them up,” said Hamilton.
“We have got some improvements that we need to make and we need everyone’s support in doing so.
“It is about making sure we leave no stone unturned, that the hunger is there and we are maximising every moment.
“I will be chasing the people in the wind tunnel, the aerodynamic guys, and just looking at every single area.
“There is performance to be gained and we need it now, not in two or three races. I have got to keep that encouragement and energy high.
“I prefer to stay optimistic. There are 20 races to go. I am really hoping we can get in the fight, but with every bit of improvement we make so will Red Bull and Ferrari. It is not going to be easy. The gap is pretty big right now but there is a long way to go.”
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Source: TalkSport.com Motorsport
