Emilia Romagna Grand Prix 2024 Prediction: Norris can claim back-to-back victories

The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix makes a welcome return to the Formula One circuit on Sunday after the 2023 event was cancelled due to flooding in Imola, Italy.

After winning his first Grand Prix last week in Miami, all eyes will be on whether McLaren’s Lando Norris can back it up at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari this weekend.

Max Verstappen will have been disappointed by his second-place finish at the Miami Grand Prix last time out and the race in Florida might have exposed a chink in the Dutchman’s substantial armour.

Lando Norris race winner @ 7/1

Having claimed his maiden win in his 110th race in F1, victories could be like buses for McLaren ace Norris, with another one imminent this weekend.

The 24-year-old's consistency has taken him up to fourth place in the Drivers’ Championship after the first six races of the campaign.

Granted, Norris had help from the safety car last weekend to get past Verstappen in Miami, but the Bristolian still had to stay in front through the last 27 laps of the race to claim that elusive first chequered flag.

That performance showed maturity and composure from Norris which will have made the rest of the grid sit up and take notice.

Verstappen is once again the firm favourite to claim what would be a third successive win at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix but the 7/1 for a Norris victory catches the eye.

Norris might need a little luck along the way to prevent Verstappen leading from the front but the Englishman has shown any mistakes from the reigning champion can be punished.

Charles Leclerc podium finish @ 5/6

Returning to the podium in Miami last time out after two fourth-place finishes, Charles Leclerc seems to be back on track with Ferrari.

The Scuderia are set to introduce an upgrade this weekend for the race closest to their Maranello factory, and that should provide a boost to Leclerc’s chances of making a return to the top three.

Leclerc is the only driver on the circuit to have finished in the top four in all six races of the season so far, just showing the consistency of the Monegasque racer and the reliability Ferrari have now brought to their car that was lacking in the past.

The 26-year-old has finished fifth, fourth and sixth in the three previous meetings at Imola but this weekend Leclerc looks capable of another top-three finish after standing on the podium last week in Miami.

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