Oscar Piastri Leads McLaren in Thrilling FP1 at Imola
In an exhilarating opening practice session for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola, Oscar Piastri of McLaren edged out his teammate Lando Norris by a mere 0.032 seconds. The session was briefly halted due to a crash involving Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto, adding an unexpected twist to the tightly contested practice.
As the teams gathered at the iconic Italian circuit near Bologna, which is set to host its final Formula 1 race for the foreseeable future, both McLaren drivers showcased impressive performance. This weekend marks the first European race of the 2025 season, and many teams utilized this opportunity to introduce significant upgrades to their cars.
The session kicked off with Norris setting the pace early on, achieving a time of 1 minute 17.125 seconds on soft tires, as Pirelli introduced its softest C6 compound. This new tire option promised to intensify the competition on the track. However, the spotlight quickly shifted to Mercedes’ George Russell, who clocked a rapid 1 minute 16.599 seconds, taking the lead as the session progressed.
Piastri, however, was not to be outdone. He took control of the session shortly after the halfway mark, recording an impressive lap time of 1 minute 16.545 seconds around the 4.909-kilometer circuit. Shortly after, Norris responded but fell short, initially trailing Piastri by 0.174 seconds. Norris’s second attempt was more fruitful, landing him a time of 1 minute 16.577 seconds, just 0.032 seconds behind his teammate.
Carlos Sainz, driving for Williams, put in a commendable performance, finishing just 0.020 seconds behind Norris, while Russell slipped to fourth place. The competitive spirit among these drivers highlighted the intense rivalry and close margins that characterize Formula 1 racing.
Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, expressed concerns regarding the braking performance of his Ferrari. Early in the session, he encountered difficulties at the Variante Alta chicane, which led to him straight-lining the corner. Despite these challenges, Hamilton managed to secure the fifth-fastest time, remaining less than a tenth of a second behind Piastri.
Alpine also made a strong showing with Pierre Gasly finishing sixth, just 0.151 seconds off the leading pace. Max Verstappen, the reigning world champion driving for Red Bull, landed in seventh place, trailing by three and a half tenths. Verstappen was testing adjustments to the rear suspension among other modifications to the RB21, but he expressed dissatisfaction with the car’s balance, indicating that he "can’t rely on the rear" and felt as though he was "drifting everywhere."
Completing the top ten were Alex Albon from Williams and Sauber drivers Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg. Bortoleto’s promising start as a rookie was marred by a late crash, where he lost control of his Sauber at Rivazza. The car oversteered on entry into the final corner complex, leading him into the gravel trap and resulting in light contact with the wall.
Interestingly, both Williams and Sauber refrained from announcing any upgrades for this race weekend. This decision may have contributed to their quicker acclimatization to the track conditions, allowing them to set competitive times early in FP1.
As the teams and drivers prepare for the remainder of the race weekend, the stakes are high at Imola. The combination of new tire compounds, car upgrades, and the historical significance of the venue sets the stage for an exciting showdown. With both McLaren drivers showing strong form, they will be looking to build on this momentum in the upcoming qualifying sessions and the main race.
As fans and teams alike look forward to the next round of practice and qualifying, the competitive landscape of Formula 1 is ever-evolving. Every session presents new opportunities for teams to refine their setups and strategies, making it a thrilling spectacle for motorsport enthusiasts around the world.
