Hello from Imola! It’s great to be back in Italy for the start of the European leg of the 2025 F1 season.
The return to Europe also means a return to teams using their massive motorhomes that will criss-cross the continent over the next four months, serving as their home-from-home at the race track.
We had a big thunderstorm overnight at the track, meaning things have cooled down a bit today after a very sunny and hot Thursday.
Media day provided a number of interesting nuggets and quotes, particularly relating to Alpine: a team which has undergone a significant amount of change since the last race in Miami.
Not only does the team have a new driver in the form of Franco Colapinto, who has replaced Jack Doohan after just six races. It is also without a dedicated team principal following the shock resignation of Oliver Oakes, coming days after his brother was arrested in the UK.
Executive advisor Flavio Briatore is taking on more of Oakes’ duties this weekend, while the team clarified racing director Dave Greenwood is its dedicated ‘team representative’ this weekend for administrative purposes — as Briatore is not technically an employee of Alpine.
Pierre Gasly referred to it as being a “special week” for the team, but still seemed convinced about the direction it is going in. He spent part of last week in the factory before disappearing to Scotland for four days to play golf.