After an eventful start, the 2005 Formula One championship moves into Ferrari's heartland for the San Marino Grand Prix, the first race of the European leg of the season.
Few circuits inspire the same adoration for motorsport as the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, a stone's throw from both Modena and Maranello, that will be painted red this weekend as the Scuderia faithful flock to the circuit.
Ferrari have gone four races without a win — their last success was in Japan in October 2004 — and the hastily debuted F2005 racer failed to revive their fortunes in Bahrain. But that was three weeks ago, and the title-holders feel they are now ready to make their assault after completing some 2,500 km of testing with the new car.
The home team's seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, who has won at Imola five times in the last six years, is also confident he can end the team's barren run and warned rivals to expect a Ferrari backlash this weekend.
The German, with only two points so far, has the odds stacked against him as no driver has scored so few in the first three races of a season and still gone on to win the title. Young spaniard Fernando Alonso leads the drivers' championship with 26 points.
Constructer's championship leaders Renault are, however, not leaving anything to chance as they aim for a fourth triumph in a row after winning in Australia, Malaysia and Bahrain. The French-outfit have never before won four successive races.
While Alonso won't see much change in his R25 racer as he chases his third victory in a row, Renault hope to boost Italian Giancarlo Fisichella's fortunes in front of home fans.
{{/usCountry}}While Alonso won't see much change in his R25 racer as he chases his third victory in a row, Renault hope to boost Italian Giancarlo Fisichella's fortunes in front of home fans.
{{/usCountry}}Fisichella could get first use of a lighter and more powerful 'B specification' engine that the team had not planned to introduce until the fifth round in Spain next month. Both the drivers will have a new front wing.
Fisichella has fond memories of Imola — he scored his first Formula One points at the circuit with Jordan in 1997 — and would be hoping to join Riccardo Patrese and Elio de Angelis as the only Italians to win the San Marino GP. Both drivers did so in Renault-powered cars.