F1 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix predictions: Charles Leclerc can thrill tifosi

Free Formula 1 tips, best bets and analysis for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola on Sunday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports F1, 2pm Sunday

Best bets

Charles Leclerc to win the race
2pts 13-8 general

Valtteri Bottas top-six finish
1pt 11-10 bet365

Race preview

After an unusually exciting sprint race the scene is set for an intriguing Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola on Sunday.

Charles Leclerc took the lead at the start of the 21-lap sprint, and stayed there until lap 20 when, having done a better job of preserving his tyres, world champion Max Verstappen muscled his way past.

For a racing driver it doesn’t get much better than winning in a Ferrari in front of the fanatical tifosi in Italy. And while Leclerc narrowly missed out yesterday, there are reasons to think he can go one better on Sunday.

Tyre management had a lot to do with the sprint result, but much of the grand prix will be run on the more durable medium rubber.

While there has been little running on that compound this weekend due to Friday’s washout, previous races suggest Ferrari could be in better shape today.

There is also the issue of Red Bull’s questionable reliability to consider – Verstappen has finished just one of the three full-length races this season.

Carlos Sainz put his qualifying crash behind him to climb from tenth on the sprint grid to fourth by the end, though like his Ferrari teammate Leclerc he was also struggling with his tyres towards the end.

Mercedes’ hopes of climbing into the top ten after their poor qualifying were dealt a blow as both George Russell and Lewis Hamilton made poor starts.

Valtteri Bottas caught the eye with his pace, finishing right on the tail of Daniel Ricciardo.

The McLaren seemed to be holding him up and Bottas looks a fair bet at odds-against for a second top-six finish in four grands prix for Alfa Romeo.

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