Race preview: Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Alex’s trip to Imola

Published

14 MAY 2025

Est. reading time

3 min

Alex is all set for an intense period of the season, as we head into a run of three consecutive race weekends.

The European leg of Formula 1’s 2025 campaign is well and truly upon us, with a trio of back-to-back Grands Prix on the continent — and nine of the next ten races taking place in Europe.

First up is the Emilia-Romagna GP, at the iconic Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari…

Previous visits to Imola

Alex will be going in search of a first-ever points haul in Imola this weekend, having come agonisingly close during his maiden season with Williams Racing.

Our Thai racer finished 11th at the 2022 Emilia-Romagna GP, after climbing all the way from P18 on the starting grid.

“It’s a shame that we missed out on points by one place, but we are taking opportunities, doing things differently and showing that we can battle higher up despite not having the fastest car,” said Alex that day.

Now with the impressively-performing FW47 to work with, Albono should fancy his chances of finally putting points on the board at this Italian venue, having placed in the top ten on five occasions already this term.

Track guide

Few circuits have as rich a history as the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari — more commonly known as Imola.

Nestled in the Santerno River valley, the track has previously held both the Italian GP and the San Marino GP, having first arrived on the Formula 1 calendar back in 1980.

Running anti-clockwise across 4.909 km (3.050 miles) and with 19 turns, this is a venue that requires maximum precision, on account of its narrow track and minimal runoff areas.

A lap kicks off with a set of high-speed chicanes, before moving into Sector 2’s downhill braking zone.

Sector 3 features the hilltop Variante Alta chicane ahead of another downhill run, then finishes with a pair of right-hand corners.

Alex’s thoughts

“Imola is a classic F1 circuit with lots of motorsport history, so it’s a nice one to mark the start of the European season,” Alex said, when looking ahead to this weekend.

“We’ve had some really good results so far this year and it’s great to be heading into the European leg off the back of a very strong points finish in Miami.

“We know we have to get everything perfect to continue achieving those results, so we all need to be on our A game going into the triple-header.”

Stay in the loop

Alex will be targeting his sixth top-ten finish from seven Grands Prix at the Emilia-Romagna GP, following his eye-catching P5 placing in Miami last time out.

And you can stay up to date with his progress in Imola, by following our live blog on the AA23 website and app.

Free Practice 1 gets under way at 1.30pm local time (CEST) on Friday, ahead of FP2 at 5pm. FP3 then takes place the following day (12.30pm), before Quali at 4pm.

The race itself is scheduled for 3pm CEST on Sunday.

Don’t forget to claim your Emilia-Romagna Fan Passport stamp via the link below, too, while Albono is racing at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari.