Damon Hill makes Max Verstappen and Lando Norris prediction for race at Imola

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Former Formula 1 world champion Damon Hill has been asked once again to predict who will finish on the podium as the F1 paddock heads to Imola.

After six race weekends, there have already been as many race winners as there were last season, with Max Verstappen beaten by Carlos Sainz and most recently Lando Norris.

Damon Hill was making his predictions on the F1 Nation Podcast and quickly narrowed down his top three.

Imola represents the opening race of the European leg of the Formula 1 calendar and is typically where teams begin to bring their first major upgrade of the season.

McLaren jumped the gun in Miami and Norris hugely benefitted, not only keeping pace with the Red Bulls but actively pulling away from them after the safety car.

Damon Hill thinks Norris will feature on the podium in Imola but faces a much tougher test against Verstappen this time around.

It’s also Ferrari’s first home race of the season and understandably they’ll want to impress their fans at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix with an upgrade package of their own being delivered.

Another man who will be desperate to do well is Lewis Hamilton ahead of his move to Ferrari in 2025 and he’ll want to show the Tifosi they have plenty to look forward to after Sainz leaves the team.

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Damon Hill makes his podium prediction for Imola

Devastating floods meant that there was no Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in 2023, but the previous race at Imola indicates what could happen this weekend.

Max Verstappen was on pole position in 2022 in a session disrupted by three red flags.

He won the Sprint Race ahead of Charles Leclerc before leading his teammate Sergio Perez over the line in Sunday’s Grand Prix, opening up a 16-second lead in the process.

The two Red Bull drivers were joined on the podium by Lando Norris that day and since then McLaren have taken some big steps forward despite a dismal start to the 2023 campaign.

McLaren and Ferrari are now the closest challengers to Red Bull and the gap is significantly smaller than it was last year.

It means Verstappen is under more pressure now than he has been since the 2021 season and Sergio Perez will be aware that he has to step up his performances with his contract expiring at the end of the year.

Damon Hill doesn’t believe the Mexican will be on the podium in Imola either after missing out in Miami.

Instead, he thinks all three top teams will be represented on the rostrum.

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Emilia Romagna Grand Prix will give true indication in battle between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris

Asked to predict the podium for the upcoming race, Hill said: “You’re going to ask me for a prediction?

“I think Lando’s [Norris] on a high, but I don’t think he can beat Max [Verstappen], I think it’s Max, I think one of the Ferraris is going to do well.

“I think it will be Charles [Leclerc] and then Lando.”

While much of the talk since the Miami Grand Prix has been about Verstappen and Norris, Charles Leclerc can’t be ignored either.

He came home in second in the Sprint Race in Miami before finishing third in the Grand Prix ahead of his teammate and Perez.

Leclerc has been under pressure to perform after being retained ahead of Sainz for next season and appears to be close to his best once again after a difficult start to 2024.

There are so many factors that could affect what happens in Imola this weekend and Hill thinks all three of the strongest constructors have a chance to challenge for victory on Sunday.