Lando Norris eyes Emilia Romagna GP win as Adrian Newey plans return

Formula One returns to its European heartland this weekend with the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Italy’s Imola circuit.

It’s an old- school playground for F1 drivers, and the sport’s newest winner is brimming with confidence. Britain’s Lando Norris won in Miami and while he concedes luck fell his way with a safety car, he was also the quickest driver on track on race day – potentially putting the wind up Max Verstappen and Red Bull.

Imola, says Norris, should suit his resurgent McLaren even better. ‘The upgrades clearly worked in Miami. I think we are better suited to Imola, and those upgrades may make an even bigger difference here,’ he said.

‘Imola has generally been one of our most successful tracks as a team, and for me as a driver.’

While the Emilia Romagna GP was cancelled last year due to flooding, Norris was third in both 2022 and 2021. ‘I don’t think we’re getting ahead of ourselves,’ said Norris (below), in targeting another victory. ‘We’re confident we can take steps forward. And we need more if we’re going to challenge consistently.’

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Asked where his car ranks in the speed stakes, he replied ‘third’. Ahead are Red Bull and Ferrari, the latter facing raised expectation at a home track named after their founder Enzo and his son Dino.

The prancing horses can win this Sunday and next year is looking even more hopeful with Lewis Hamilton arriving with a number of ex-Mercedes personnel and Adrian Newey making plans post Red Bull.

He will be a free agent from the start of next season. He may go travelling or sailing, taking a well-earned rest, but admitted: ‘As Forrest Gump said at the end of his long run, I feel a little bit tired at the moment but at some point I will probably go again.’

My sources in Maranello tell me discussions are well underway which will see Newey in a consultant role, potentially with a satellite Ferrari design studio somewhere in England’s motorsport valley.

It will be a similar arrangement to that which British designer John Barnard established in Shalford, 
Surrey, when he worked for Ferrari as technical director between 1993 and 1997.

Ferrari have offered Newey pay rises in the past and until now he’s turned them down. A fresh desire for a challenge away from Red Bull, though, and Hamilton’s upcoming transfer have come together at the same time and, as most things in life, it’s all about timing.

Carlos Sainz Jr is being forced to make way for Hamilton, but feels on top of the world, saying: ‘Yeah, Ferrari driver in Imola, with hopefully a bit of a step [forward] coming in the car this weekend. Life’s good.’

Sainz is on Audi, Red Bull and, one assumes, Mercedes’ shopping lists. He says he still hasn’t got his future sorted, and not to expect any news soon. Last week his father, rally legend Carlos Sainz Sr, announced he was defecting from Audi’s Dakar programme to Ford. Ford are partnering with Red Bull from 2026 onwards. Both of these facts may play a role in the 29-year-old’s decision.

Meanwhile, Alex Albon has extended his deal with Williams. This suggests Mercedes and Red Bull have told him he is not in the running for either Hamilton or Sergio Perez’s seats. That’s a shame as Albon deserves a car capable of podiums but clearly he has confidence in Williams and boss James Vowles as the team continues their reinvention, despite not having any points on the board this year.

‘It has been a difficult start to the year,’ acknowledges the Anglo-Thai. ‘But since joining Williams we have made significant progress together and I have seen the huge changes happening behind the scenes to take us back to the front of the grid. This is a long-term project that I really believe in and want to play a key role in, which is why I have signed a multi-year contract.’

It makes you wonder if there is any truth to the Newey-returns-to-Williams rumours? It’s where his run of championship wins started. And what he’s always wanted – and possibly why he left Williams, McLaren and now Red Bull – is equity in the team. Owners Dorilton Capital would surely be down for that.

Imola love affair tinged with tragedy

The Imola circuit will always be tinged by tragedy. Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger were killed here 30 years ago this month.

Pierre Gasly, who wasn’t born until 1996 but cites Senna as his hero nevertheless, will wear a special Senna helmet in tribute to the great Brazilian.

‘I watched a lot of documentaries,’ says the Alpine driver. ‘I always admired the style of racing, but also the person he was, the values, the way he was caring about his community.

‘He was one of the biggest champions of our sport. It was important for me to pay tribute to the best of all time, especially this year, 30 years after the incident.’

Carlos Sainz says he ranks Imola as one of the best tracks on the calendar: ‘It reminds us all where we came from and why we became fans of this sport. This, together with Suzuka and Zandvoort, are where you feel a Formula One car at its peak, and I love that.’

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