Imola Grand Prix 2025 Weather Forecast: What to Exp…read more
The 2025 Formula 1 season heads to its seventh round this weekend with the highly anticipated Imola Grand Prix, held at the iconic Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari. Known officially as the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the event promises exciting racing at a track steeped in motorsport history since its return to the calendar in 2020.
Oscar Piastri enters the weekend leading the championship standings, 16 points clear of teammate Lando Norris. Piastri’s remarkable run of three straight victories in Bahrain, Jeddah, and Miami has propelled McLaren to the forefront of the season. Despite McLaren’s dominance, other teams are eyeing a turnaround. Ferrari and Mercedes are both bringing upgrades to Imola, hoping to close the performance gap and deliver results in front of the passionate Italian fans.
Ferrari in particular is under pressure to perform well at home, while young Italian Kimi Antonelli will look to build on his momentum after grabbing a sensational first pole position in Miami. With both rookies and veterans set to push hard on this demanding track, weather conditions could play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the weekend.
Here’s a detailed weather forecast for the Imola Grand Prix, covering all three days from Friday to Sunday:
Friday, May 16 – Free Practice 1 & 2
The opening day of the race weekend starts off with some early morning rain, which may leave a damp track ahead of FP1 at 1:30pm local time (CEST). However, the rain is expected to clear by the time the session begins. Drivers can anticipate dry conditions during the session, with sunny intervals and mild temperatures around 18°C. A moderate easterly and north-easterly breeze will be present, but not strong enough to affect car performance significantly. Humidity will sit around 44%, possibly making the track a bit greasy early on.
FP2, beginning at 5pm, will see similar weather – dry skies, light winds, and slightly warmer temperatures reaching 19°C. These are ideal conditions for drivers and teams to gather crucial data and fine-tune setups.
Saturday, May 17 – Free Practice 3 & Qualifying
Saturday continues the stretch of stable weather. FP3, set for 12:30pm, will be held in slightly warmer temperatures of around 21°C. Wind speeds will drop to a gentle 6mph, providing near-perfect conditions for teams to complete final preparations.
The crucial qualifying session at 4pm will take place under similar weather, with a slight increase in temperature to 22°C. While some cloud cover may appear late in the session, no rain is expected. The consistent weather across practice sessions means drivers should feel confident heading into qualifying.
Sunday, May 18 – Race Day
After two days of sunshine, Sunday may introduce some unpredictability. Rain showers are forecast for race day, with a 50% chance at the 3pm race start, climbing to 52% during the event. Despite the threat of rain, temperatures will peak at 23°C. If the showers are brief, the heat could quickly dry the track, challenging teams on whether to switch to intermediate tyres.
Overall, the weather at Imola adds an intriguing layer to an already exciting weekend. Teams and fans alike will be keeping a close eye on the skies as race day approaches.
