Ted's Imola Podbook | The title race, car upgrades & when we should judge Hamilton at Ferrari

In this episode of Ted's Podbook, host Ted Kravitz discusses the lead-up to the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, which marks the return of Formula One to Europe after the 75th anniversary of the FIA Formula One World Championship. He highlights the vibrant atmosphere outside the Autodromo internationale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, mentioning the excited fans sporting Ferrari merchandise and waiting for driver appearances.

Ted specifically talks about championship leader Oscar Piastri, who recently engaged with his Italian roots by meeting distant relatives related to his great-great-grandfather during a busy week. The focus then shifts to McLaren, where both Piastri and Lando Norris are preparing for a tight race weekend in Imola. Norris reflects on his experiences and lessons learned from the previous race, acknowledging that he should have approached the start differently. Both drivers express confidence but are aware they need to adapt to this unique track.

The episode also touches on Red Bull, revealing updates that have arrived in time for the Grand Prix, while Yuki Tsunoda is expected to perform well given his experience at this circuit. Shifting to Lewis Hamilton, Ted discusses his excitement about racing with Ferrari, especially in front of passionate fans, while also reflecting on his recent experiences, including the Met Gala. Hamilton addresses criticisms and emphasizes that the early months with Ferrari should be viewed as foundational rather than definitive of future success.

Towards the end, Ted mentions notable adjustments within the Alpine team, including the appointment of a new team principal, Dave Greenwood, and pays tribute to Fernando Alonso's long-time trainer, Fabrizio Borra, who recently passed away. The episode concludes with details about the race schedule and anticipation for the upcoming events in the Formula One weekend.