Formula 1 Arrives in Europe with Changes

Two months after the start of the 2025 Formula 1 season, the European campaign begins, which is becoming less central to the calendar. After a two-week break following Miami, the classic Imola circuit marks the start of more familiar schedules for everyone, the classic midday races, and most importantly for drivers and technicians, the first developments.

The logistical proximity to the bases allows the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari to also serve as a debut for the new parts that teams may decide to install. After a season start marked by the clear, yet not absolute, dominance of McLaren, the contenders aiming to challenge Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, especially the former who is the leader, have set to work to refine the minor flaws in their cars.

Thus, the men from Woking face a challenging weekend ahead. The winds of change that other teams aim to implement are also starting to blow from the FIA offices, where the technicians led by Jo Bauer are scrutinising why the MCL39 is such a superior car. Suspicions about a 'mini DRS', flexible wings, or other tricks pulled from the hat are on the table of those responsible for ensuring that engineers' creativity does not exceed established limits.

Logically, Max Verstappen should be the first to complicate the expected double victory of Piastri and Norris. The world champion has already shown that he will be the thorn in their side, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him slip between or even above them in a Grand Prix where he has always performed well. The Mercedes team cannot be overlooked either, with George Russell firmly established in the top zone and Kimi Antonelli bringing the Italian flag back to the grid this year, eager to bring joy to the 'tifosi' who, with Ferrari's permission, will be cheering him from the stands. What Ferrari can do is also something to consider.

Imola also marks the beginning of the potential recovery for teams in the lower-mid table. Williams, having its best start to a year in a decade, is clear that its aspiration is and should be to score points consistently. Carlos Sainz, who was one of the highlights for his elegant appearance on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet a few days ago, is beginning to understand what needs to change to adapt to Williams and match or surpass his teammate, Alex Albon, who is currently demonstrating his experience in the team. The Grove team hopes this weekend will mark the start of their establishment in the 'top 10' without struggle, with the permission of those coming from behind. The fiery Alpine, debuting Franco Colapinto this weekend in place of Jack Doohan - the worst-kept secret on the grid - amid a serious institutional crisis, Toro Rosso, or even Haas also want their share of the crumbs left by the top teams.

Aston Martin wants and needs to be in that battle for points. The Silverstone team is going through an evident performance crisis, not only because they no longer aspire to anything more than not closing the grid, but because one of their two drivers still doesn't know what it is to score points. And that driver is Fernando Alonso.

With Lance Stroll already having fourteen unexpected points in his bag, the Spaniard needs to get rid of the zero on his scoreboard. To achieve this, Aston Martin brings innovations and tweaks to practically all key areas of the car, a tractor that has been dragging through the first six commitments. "We are incorporating a new floor and bodywork. What we expect from the package is an improvement in aerodynamic load and the consistency of that load on the car," explained Andy Cowell, CEO and team principal of Aston Martin, and therefore the person ultimately responsible for what happens on the track. Their goal is to improve that 1% which they estimate can make the leap. This Friday, they will test both configurations, one with the innovations and one without, on both cars and decide what to keep and what to discard. It is not a minor issue: on these foundations, the 2026 project will be built.