Emilia Romagna Grand Prix: Preview

MoneyGram Haas F1 Team arrives at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari – more commonly known as Imola – seventh in the Constructors’ Championship, buoyed by three points finishes in five grands prix. The target is to add to that tally on the occasion of MoneyGram Haas F1 Team’s 150th race. 

Those 149 events to date have yielded 245 points, two fastest laps, best grid and race positions of fourth respectively, and one highly memorable pole position. MoneyGram Haas F1 Team has raced 15,350 laps in Formula 1, equivalent to 77,415km, which is almost twice around the world. 

Kevin Magnussen raced at Formula 1’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in 2020 and 2022 – last year qualifying fourth for the Sprint event before scoring points in both the Sprint and the grand prix. Nico Hulkenberg has never before raced in any category at Imola, marking new territory for the veteran.   

Imola is nestled in the heart of Italy’s Emilia Romagna region, famed for its cuisine, culture and car industry. Imola initially joined Formula 1’s calendar in 1980 and was a mainstay from 1981 under the title of the San Marino Grand Prix, as a nod to the nearby microstate enclaved by Italy. Imola fell by the wayside after its 2006 event but landed an improbable return in 2020 when Formula 1 required suitable venues during its pandemic-hit season. 

Imola’s surprise comeback proved popular and it was retained for 2021 before securing a multi-year extension under the guise of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. The 4.9km circuit is a challenging proposition that requires a precise approach owing to its narrow nature and limited run-off. That throwback element is heightened by the circuit winding its way between the residential avenues of Imola, where fans clamber for viewing opportunities from the verdant parklands and the balconies of the weathered terracotta houses.

Guenther Steiner – Team Principal:

A point at our first home race of the season and another spectacular event in Miami. Can you summarize your Miami Grand Prix? 

“It was the busiest race ever for MoneyGram Haas F1 Team. All our partners, sponsors, on-track action and all that was happening seemed to be the most eventful race weekend since Haas started. All in all, it was a very good weekend. Everybody seemed to be happy, the Miami Grand Prix put on a good show for the fans, for the teams, and we got a point.”

 

The first upgrade of the season was brought to Miami, focusing on the floor. What’s the initial feedback and what else can you share at this stage about the development program for this season?

“The upgrade which we brought to the race track is working, so well done to the whole team to get this developed, produced and put it in action for Miami. We’ve got more coming this year, we said we’re bringing little steps, we’re not bringing one big upgrade package. We’re bringing something new to Imola and when we find something in development, we will bring it to the track.” 

Looking ahead to Round 6 of the 2023 FIA Formula 1 World Championship, the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix is MoneyGram Haas F1 Team’s 150th race. From the creation of the team in 2014, our first race in 2016 and the seven full seasons we’ve competed in to-date, what memories stand out for you and what has being the Team Principal of MoneyGram Haas F1 Team meant to you?

“What stood out for me is when we got to the race track in Melbourne in 2016 because we had so many people saying we wouldn’t make it. We made it, we’re still here and that makes me proud for the whole team. We scored points in our first race which hasn’t happened many times before in Formula 1 history as well. For me, it means a lot starting a team, it’s a dream for many to start a team and I could do it thanks to Gene Haas who allowed us to do this. We’re in a good position now and we just try to get stronger and stronger, and we will.” 

 

We’ve talked about our history, but what are the present and future objectives of this team? 

“The present objective this year is to move up in the Constructors’ Championship from last year, getting better every year – it’s as simple as this – and at some stage we want to be winning races. I don’t know how far away it is and I’m not going to say it’s this season or next season, but at some stage, it will happen with Haas.”