Imola a ‘flash in the pan’ for Aston Martin

Ralf Schumacher has warned Aston Martin that their Imola double points-haul was likely a “flash in the pain” and he doesn’t expect them to be “that good” in Miami.

Aston Martin went into round four of the championship as the only team yet to get off the mark.

They walked away from the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix with five points on the board, both Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll in the points.

The duo qualified ninth and 15th for the sprint race, Vettel securing Aston Martin’s first Q3 appearance of the season only to lose places in the dry in the sprint qualifying race.

But with the grand prix start on a wet track, the German was soon working his way towards the points, finishing P8 on day with Stroll 10th.

The team, though, shouldn’t expect a repeat come Miami with Schumacher calling their Imola result a “flash in the pan”.

“I assume that Imola was a flash in the pan,” the former driver wrote in his latest Sky Germany column.

“We’re going to Miami in two weeks. I don’t expect the Aston Martin to be that good.

“But it’s a new track, the temperatures will be higher. All teams have their problems. I’m curious how it will be.”

Grazie, Imola!

It's time to rest up and refocus before we go again in Miami. pic.twitter.com/Jp43Rm0MHq

— Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) April 24, 2022

But while the German is not expecting much from Aston Martin, he was still impressed with their performance at Imola.

The race was Vettel’s second of the season, the four-time World Champion having missed the first two races with Covid, with Schumacher saying it showed Vettel’s strength in the wet.

Red Bull bounce back with 1-2 finish at Imola

More McLaren progress with Norris podium

Russell shines, Hamilton struggles at Imola