Oscar Piastri Eyes F1 Title as Ferrari Struggles Ahead of Imola Grand Prix

Posted : 15 May 2025

Oscar Piastri enters the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix on a high after claiming three consecutive wins, putting him in a strong position in the Formula One title race. The season’s first European leg kicks off with a triple-header, beginning at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari.

While McLaren and Red Bull remain title contenders, much attention is on Ferrari’s underwhelming form, particularly with Lewis Hamilton’s much-anticipated debut on home soil in red. The seven-time world champion and his teammate Charles Leclerc have struggled to unlock the potential of the SF25, with the team hoping that new upgrades will offer a much-needed performance boost.

Hamilton, despite winning the sprint race in Shanghai, is yet to claim a podium finish for Ferrari in a Grand Prix. The team currently sits a staggering 152 points behind McLaren, with Miami offering little relief as both Ferrari drivers fought merely for a seventh-place finish.

Leclerc noted that the team has experimented with aggressive setup changes in pursuit of better performance, making driver comparisons difficult. Hamilton, meanwhile, has taken a step back from social media in what appears to be an effort to regain focus, even unfollowing Ferrari and his own dog on Instagram.

At Mercedes, 18-year-old Italian Kimi Antonelli prepares for his first home race, representing the Silver Arrows alongside George Russell. Team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged the significance of the moment for Antonelli, who hails from nearby Bologna. Despite the emotional backdrop, Wolff reminded that the race, like all others, is worth the same 25 points.

Antonelli’s early career has already been marked by record-breaking performances, but it is Piastri who continues to command headlines with his consistent driving and growing lead in the standings over Lando Norris and Max Verstappen.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner conceded that McLaren now appears to have the most competitive car, signaling that the upcoming European tracks may favor Piastri’s team. Following Imola, the F1 calendar moves to Monaco—where a new rule will require two pit stops—before heading to Spain.

Meanwhile, the grid sees a change at Alpine as Argentine Franco Colapinto returns to replace Jack Doohan, after team principal Oliver Oakes stepped down. Colapinto previously raced nine times for Williams last season and now has another shot at proving himself in Formula One.

Oscar Piastri Eyes F1 Title as Ferrari Struggles Ahead of Imola Grand Prix

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics