A bit about the track for this weekend
As we know the narrow, anti-clockwise circuit has been modernised since it was last used for a Grand Prix, and AlphaTauri actually used it for a pre-2020 season filming day recently. The final Variante Bassa (thanks
@Vassago) chicane is gone, and the long straight heading into Tamburello is now split, with two right-hand corners added in between.
Circuit run-off has been expanded at Variante Alta, and new pit garages contrast with the old tower overlooking the previous start-finish complex. The circuit has also been re-surfaced since the last Grand Prix in 2006, making for a smoother ride. However, the surface is still bumpy and with large kerbs, meaning some extra stress on the tyres and drivers.
Hopefully the kerbs will help sort out the track limits this weekend after last weeks nonsense.
The black round things from Pirelli.
Pirelli will bring C2, C3 and C4 tyres to the 13th round of the season – one step softer than at those used at Portimao last week, with their head of F1 and car racing Mario Isola explaining that the two-day format and tricky layout have played a part in Pirelli's choice.
"This weekend at Imola, there's going to be a lot to get used to in a short space of time," said Isola. "After travelling back from Portugal the teams have to cope with a new race weekend format and reduced practice time on what will be a brand new track for most of the drivers – although inadvertently, they practised this exact scenario at the Nurburgring recently.
"As you would expect on a circuit with so much history, Imola has an old-school feel to it like Mugello, and we believe that the drivers are going to love racing there. Finding the right set-up as quickly as possible is going to be key to success, as the technical nature of the track means that a number of important compromises have to be made, so it's always tricky to find the right balance.
"Overtaking could be quite tricky and the weather at this time of year is unpredictable, so strategy is set to play an important role – but that strategy has to be flexible enough to adapt itself to changing circumstances," he said.