McLaren demonstrated strong form during Friday`s practice sessions for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, with Oscar Piastri leading teammate Lando Norris for a commanding one-two finish in both outings. This performance likely dampened spirits among the passionate Ferrari home supporters.
Australian driver Piastri, who has been on an impressive run winning four of the last five races, set the fastest lap time at the historic Imola circuit. He clocked a 1:16.545 in the first session, improving later to a 1:15.293 in the second practice.
Norris, currently 16 points behind the championship-leading Piastri after six rounds, was right on his teammate`s heels, finishing just 0.032 and 0.025 seconds adrift in the respective sessions.
Imola, an old-school track with a somber history including the fatal accident of Ayrton Senna in 1994 and potentially facing removal from the calendar next year, holds special significance as Ferrari`s home race and signifies the beginning of the European part of the Formula 1 season.
The initial practice session was halted prematurely and did not resume after Brazilian rookie Gabriel Bortoleto crashed with approximately three minutes remaining. Fortunately, he was able to exit his car unharmed.
In the first session, Carlos Sainz secured third place for Williams, 0.052 seconds behind Piastri, followed closely by Mercedes` George Russell, who was only 0.002 seconds slower.
Practice Two saw an unexpected third place achieved by Pierre Gasly of Alpine, although he finished 0.276 seconds slower than Piastri. George Russell maintained his fourth position.
Racing Bulls newcomer Isack Hadjar also caused a red flag in the second session after spinning off the track at high speed, resulting in his car getting stuck in the gravel trap.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, preparing for what will be his first race in Italy as a future Ferrari driver, finished fifth in the first session (0.096 seconds off the pace) and 11th in the second (0.650 seconds behind).
Red Bull`s four-time champion Max Verstappen placed seventh in the first practice and improved to fifth in the second. Ferrari`s Charles Leclerc finished the day with the sixth-fastest overall time.
Verstappen, the victor at Imola last year, reported difficulties over the radio during the first session, stating, I can`t rely on the rear. It feels like I`m drifting everywhere.
Both Ferrari drivers also voiced complaints regarding their brakes during the practice sessions.
Mercedes` 18-year-old rookie Kimi Antonelli, the sole Italian driver on the grid and anticipating his home race debut, recorded lap times placing him 13th in the first session and 18th in the second.
Argentine rookie Franco Colapinto, making his debut for Alpine as a replacement for Jack Doohan, finished 17th in practice one and improved to 13th by the conclusion of the afternoon session, navigating his debut without incident.
Charles Leclerc, who had missed media commitments on Thursday due to feeling unwell, finished 12th in the first session, which included an off-track moment into the gravel. He also commented on his helmet lifting during his runs.
