Motor Racing

Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Betting Preview And Race Predictions (2025)

4 months ago

| BY Sam Cox

The first of a Formula One triple-header takes place at Imola this weekend.

Red Bull have won the last three Emilia Romagna Grands Prix, yet the F1 betting markets have Max Verstappen out at 5/1 to be standing atop the podium on Sunday afternoon.

It’s the start of the European leg of the F1 season, and with it comes another driver change. Alpine have taken a leaf out of Red Bull’s book by swapping Jack Doohan out for Franco Colapinto, who has been given ‘at least five races’ as the team’s second driver.

Team principal Oliver Oakes has also departed since the Miami Grand Prix amid a massively underwhelming start to the season for the Enstone outfit.

Major Upgrades on the Way

A handful of teams introduced minor upgrades in Miami. Most of the grid are expected to have significant upgrades for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix this weekend, with the hope of making their cars quicker for this pivotal triple-header.

With three full practice sessions and only a short distance from each teams’ base, this is a perfect opportunity to test out new parts.

McLaren had a sizeable advantage in Miami, but could see that reduced if Red Bull, Ferrari, or Mercedes manage to bring in the kind of package that jolted McLaren into race-winning contention midway through last season.

Upgrades are bound to influence the betting markets throughout the weekend.

Softest Tyres

Pirelli are bringing the three softest tyre compounds to Imola. The C6 should give drivers extra grip on flying laps and might be used for short race stints if degradation is as low as it often is this race.

One-stop strategies have traditionally been the preferred option at Imola. There is uncertainty over the weather on Sunday, however, as forecasts currently indicate a thunderstorm will be in the area around lunchtime.

This variable could create betting angles in the race winner market on outsiders like Charles Leclerc and George Russell.

Best Bet: Oscar Piastri Race Winner, Max Verstappen Podium Finish, and Charles Leclerc Top Six Finish at 9/2

Piastri has been in a league of his own so far this season. The Australian has won four of the last five races, showing great pace and smart race awareness to carefully manage his leads without getting into unnecessary battles on the track.

Verstappen has three podiums from six races and has been the dominant driver at Imola since the circuit returned to the Formula One calendar earlier this decade.

Desperate to close the gap to McLaren, Red Bull are expected to bring several upgrades this weekend, including a ‘radical’ sidepod and alterations to the rear suspension and back-end bodywork.

A podium finish is well within Verstappen’s reach. This is a circuit he enjoys, and he’s coming off a run of three pole positions in four races. Another strong qualifying will set him up for a top three finish at least.

Then there’s Charles Leclerc. The Monegasque driver has finished in the top six in all of his races at Imola. Ferrari have delayed the arrival of upgrades to their rear suspension with Fred Vasseur saying the team is only going to make a ‘small step’ at Imola.

A podium is probably unattainable for Leclerc unless changeable weather creates chaos in front of him.

Leclerc has had better pace than Lewis Hamilton, though, and has finished in the top six in four out of six races so far this year.