The Imola circuit welcomed Formula 1 drivers for the opening practice session of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, marked by standout performances and unexpected incidents. Oscar Piastri, the 2025 championship leader, set the fastest time of 1min16s545, securing a McLaren 1-2 alongside Lando Norris, who trailed by just 0.032 seconds. The session ended prematurely under a red flag after Sauber rookie Gabriel Bortoleto crashed in the final minutes, though he still managed an impressive ninth place.
Carlos Sainz, driving for Williams, rounded out the top three with a time of 1min16s597, showcasing competitive pace on a track known for its overtaking opportunities. Teams focused heavily on testing Pirelli’s softest C6 tires, adapting their cars to the circuit’s demanding layout.
- Key highlights: Piastri and Norris set a commanding pace for McLaren.
- Notable incident: Bortoleto lost control at Tamburello, halting the session.
- Surprise performer: Sainz placed Williams among the frontrunners, outpacing Ferrari and Red Bull.
The first session of the Imola weekend revealed a mix of strategies, with teams balancing qualifying pace and race simulations. The close gaps at the top hinted at a fiercely contested weekend ahead.
Early team performances
George Russell of Mercedes came within 0.054 seconds of Piastri, securing fourth with 1min16s599. The Briton briefly led early in the session but was overtaken by McLaren’s late surge. Lewis Hamilton, now with Ferrari, finished fifth at 1min16s641, while Alpine’s Pierre Gasly impressed in sixth with 1min16s696.
Max Verstappen of Red Bull struggled noticeably. Despite recent testing in Nurburgring, the Dutchman posted 1min16s905 for seventh place, visibly frustrated as he struck his steering wheel. Alexander Albon, Sainz’s teammate at Williams, took eighth but faced challenges, running into the gravel twice.
Bortoleto, despite his crash, showed promise with a 1min16s925 before the incident. The Brazilian, who lost the rear of his Sauber at Tamburello, emerged unharmed and is expected to return for FP2 without issues.
Tensions flare on track
The session saw its share of drama. Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin narrowly avoided a collision with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who was slow entering a corner. Leclerc apologized over the radio, and the FIA noted the incident but took no further action.
Another flashpoint involved Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda and Alpine’s Franco Colapinto. Tsunoda, on a flying lap, was held up by the slower Argentine and responded with an obscene gesture as he passed. The incident drew no penalties but underscored the intensity of even a practice session.
- Near miss: Alonso and Leclerc’s close call occurred at Villeneuve corner.
- Tsunoda’s frustration: The Japanese driver vented at Colapinto’s pace.
- No sanctions: The FIA opted not to penalize either incident.
- Session impact: The incidents highlighted the need for better on-track communication.
Imola’s fast corners and limited run-off areas tested driver precision. Albon’s gravel excursions and Bortoleto’s crash underscored the circuit’s challenges, particularly at Tamburello and Acque Minerali.
Focus on C6 tires
Teams kicked off FP1 by evaluating Pirelli’s C6 tires, the softest compound designed for technical tracks like Imola. The priority was clear: gather data on the tires’ performance during flying laps. Piastri and Norris maximized the C6’s grip, consistently posting times below 1min17s.
Mercedes and Williams also leaned heavily on the soft tires, while Red Bull mixed its approach, with Verstappen alternating between medium and soft compounds. Alpine’s Gasly and Colapinto showed strong pace on the C6 but struggled with consistency in race simulations.
In the closing stages, teams like Ferrari and Aston Martin shifted to high-fuel runs, assessing tire wear for Sunday’s race. These insights will shape strategies, given Imola’s expected high tire degradation.
Rookies make their mark
Franco Colapinto, back on the grid with Alpine, delivered a solid session despite his clash with Tsunoda. The Argentine posted 1min17s373, finishing 17th, and showed promise adapting to Alpine’s updated A525 car.
Gabriel Bortoleto, in his debut season with Sauber, stole attention with his ninth-place time before the crash. The Brazilian, a standout in pre-season testing, displayed speed and confidence on Imola’s demanding layout.
- Colapinto’s progress: The Argentine is quickly settling into Alpine’s setup.
- Bortoleto’s potential: The Brazilian impressed before his Tamburello mishap.
- Rookie challenges: Imola’s technical demands test the skills of new drivers.
Other first-year drivers, including RB’s Isack Hadjar and Haas’s Ollie Bearman, had quieter sessions, finishing 19th and 18th, respectively. Imola’s steep learning curve remains a hurdle for newcomers.
Red Bull searches for answers
Red Bull, a dominant force in recent Formula 1 seasons, had a lackluster FP1. Verstappen, despite upgrades tested at Nurburgring, couldn’t unlock the RB21’s full potential, trailing Piastri by 0.360 seconds. Tsunoda, his new teammate, languished in 16th with 1min17s356.
The Austrian team introduced updates, including a revised floor and diffuser, but early results suggest more tweaks are needed. Red Bull plans to experiment with setups in FP2, particularly to improve stability in high-speed corners.
Ferrari and Mercedes stay competitive
Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc finished fifth and 12th, respectively. Hamilton’s 1min16s641 kept him close to the leaders, while Leclerc struggled with the SF-25’s setup, posting 1min17s077. Racing on home soil, Ferrari aims to fine-tune its car for FP2.
Mercedes, with Russell and rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli, showed consistency. Russell challenged for the top spots early, while Antonelli took 13th with 1min17s094. The team focused on aerodynamic data collection to optimize for qualifying.
Williams shines with Sainz
Carlos Sainz emerged as Williams’ standout, securing third with 1min16s597. The Spaniard, quickly adapting to the FW47, outpaced several top teams. Albon, however, struggled with stability, running off-track twice and settling for eighth with 1min16s922.
Williams introduced a new aerodynamic package for Imola, which appeared to benefit Sainz. The team hopes to maintain its form in FP2, building on its strong history at technical circuits.
- Sainz’s surge: The Spaniard leads Williams’ charge in FP1.
- Albon’s struggles: Gravel traps disrupted the Thai driver’s rhythm.
- Upgrade success: Williams’ aero package boosts performance.
- FP2 goals: The team aims for consistency ahead of qualifying.
Track conditions and strategies
Imola offered dry conditions, with air temperatures at 22°C and track temperatures around 38°C. These favored the C6 tires but emphasized tire management for the race. Pirelli anticipates a two-stop strategy, with soft and medium compounds likely to dominate.
Teams used FP1 to balance single-lap speed and tire preservation. McLaren’s 1-2 suggests a near-perfect setup, while Red Bull and Ferrari still seek the ideal compromise. Alpine’s strong showing with Gasly hints at potential but requires race-pace improvements.
Gearing up for FP2
With FP1 in the books, teams now turn to the second practice session on Friday afternoon. FP2 will be critical for refining setups and testing race strategies. McLaren holds the edge after its FP1 dominance, but Mercedes, Williams, and Ferrari are poised to respond.
Red Bull faces a pivotal session to address Verstappen and Tsunoda’s issues. Bortoleto aims to regain confidence post-crash, while Colapinto seeks to avoid further on-track disputes. A tighter battle is expected as teams push their cars to the limit in Imola.