The Drivers’ press conference ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix is set to receive a major shakeup. Unlike what has been taking place for a year now, the media event in Imola will see two drivers from different teams take center stage. This means the biggest headliner act this Thursday will be the presence of Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel on the stage at the very same time answering questions. This news will come as a major source of excitement for fans.

In 2020, and also for the first race in Bahrain, the press conference schedule was such that the media could only interview both drivers from a single team at a time. This was part of the safety measures F1 took, the plan was to keep each team in their own bubble so that cross-team interactions were at a minimum.

But this will change at Imola, with the press conference returning to its pre-pandemic ways. Well, not totally, since at a time only two drivers will be answering questions, but it’s a start.

Fans will get to see Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel reunited after a long time

The biggest talking point from the press shakeup is the two leading drivers of the modern generation sitting a few feet apart. It’s not like it hasn’t been done before. But seeing these two drivers who have a total of 11 world championships between them together has become a rare event.

With Vettel’s performances having deteriorated in 2020, fans didn’t get to see this iconic duo on the podium together at all last year. So, this event will be a sight for sore eyes.

Hamilton and Vettel have had a healthy rivalry, but there has always been a great deal of mutual respect for one and other. Moreover, there is always some sort of hilarious banter flying between the two when they sit for press conferences. So, fans will hope they get to witness some of that this Thursday.

Moreover, with the poor run of form Seb has been in since last season, it would be nice for both him and his fans to see him laugh it off with a friend.

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What does the rest of the press conference schedule look like?

The press conference will begin at 1 PM BST (8 AM, Washington DC). It will start off with Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez taking center stage. Following them will be Lance Stroll and George Russell, after which Kimi Raikkonen and Nikita Mazepin will be interviewed.

The fourth pairing consists of Esteban Ocon and Valtteri Bottas, followed by Antonio Giovinazzi and Charles Leclerc. After that, Mick Schumacher will take the stage with Max Verstappen. Then, Fernando Alonso and Lando Norris will appear to answer questions.

The last three pairings consist of Daniel Ricciardo and Nicholas Latifi, Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton, and finally, Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda to round out the event.

Also Read: 2021 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Weather Report: Is F1 in for a Wet Race at Imola?