F1, Imola: McLaren sends clear message, Ferrari still to review

The Friday practice session of the Grand Prix of Made in Italy and Emilia-Romagna at the Imola circuit ended with a clear message to opponents from McLaren: Oscar Piastri in fact set the fastest time, 1:15.293, with teammate Lando Norris just 25 thousandths behind. The two drivers from the Woking stable had also set the first and second fastest times in the first free practice session.

Third place for Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, who after setting the sixth best time in FP1 improved further in the following session, with a fastest lap 276 thousandths slower than Piastri’s. Rounding out the afternoon Top 5 were George Russell, exactly 4 tenths off the top, and Max Verstappen in Red Bull, 42 thousandths slower than the Mercedes Briton.

For Ferrari, the roles are reversed compared to the morning: Charles Leclerc, after his 12th place in FP1, closes the second session in sixth place at 475 thousandths from Piastri, while Lewis Hamilton, who had finished with the fifth best time in the morning, found himself in 11th position in the afternoon, 650 thousandths from the Australian in the papaya-colored suit.

Still further back was Kimi Antonelli, who ended a Friday without any highlights: the home driver, with his Mercedes, did not go beyond 18th place in the afternoon session, more than a second behind Piastri, while in the morning he had finished 13th. Saturday scheduled FP3 at 12:30 p.m. and qualifying at 4 p.m. Sunday’s race (3 p.m.).