Verstappen Looms as Norris Claims Fastest Time in Emilia-Romagna GP TL3

Lando Norris set the pace on Saturday morning (17) during the third free practice session for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in Imola. Clocking a lap of 1m14.897, the McLaren driver outpaced teammate Oscar Piastri by just 0.100 seconds, reigniting their intra-team rivalry. Max Verstappen, running on medium tires for Red Bull, secured third, 0.091 seconds off the lead. The session, held under partly cloudy skies with mild temperatures, painted a more competitive picture than Friday’s practice rounds.

McLaren, dominant throughout the weekend, saw Norris reclaim the top spot after Piastri’s strong showing on Friday. Verstappen, meanwhile, hinted at Red Bull’s potential to challenge the papaya duo in qualifying, particularly after leading parts of the session on mediums. Other teams, including Mercedes and Ferrari, struggled to match the leaders, posting underwhelming times despite the cooler conditions compared to Miami.

a expressão, o olhão azul-esverdeado brilhando, lando norris vc é divino pic.twitter.com/nXouk1j4Hp

— gih⁴🏁🪩 (@norriskz8) May 17, 2025

The session also spotlighted unexpected performers, such as Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar, who cracked the top ten. Brazilian rookie Gabriel Bortoleto, driving for Sauber, finished 16th. The third practice served as a prelude to a fiercely contested qualifying session, with the battle for pole position heating up.

Key takeaways from the session include:

• Norris led with 1m14.897, narrowly ahead of Piastri.
• Verstappen showed pace on mediums, trailing by 0.091 seconds.
• Mercedes and Ferrari lagged behind the front-runners.
• Hadjar and Antonelli impressed in the top ten.

Tight margins at the top

Norris’ chart-topping lap came from a near-flawless run, nailing Imola’s demanding sectors. Piastri, who owned Friday’s sessions, finished just 0.010 seconds behind, underscoring McLaren’s consistency. Verstappen, despite running mediums, stayed close, signaling Red Bull’s threat for qualifying. The sub-tenth gap among the top three highlights the intense competition in Imola.

Norris built his performance through steady improvements, with McLaren’s fine-tuned setup paying dividends. The team introduced aerodynamic updates for Imola, including a revised rear wing to optimize downforce for the circuit’s medium- and high-speed corners. Piastri struggled slightly in sector two, losing crucial time to his teammate. Verstappen, hampered by a late mistake, still posted competitive times, suggesting Red Bull is closing the gap.

Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli surprised with a fourth-place finish, 0.412 seconds off Norris. The young Italian, racing on home soil, capitalized on soft tires to outpace veterans like Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. Mercedes, however, faced challenges, with George Russell languishing in eighth, 0.675 seconds behind. Ferrari’s Leclerc took fifth, while Lewis Hamilton, now with Ferrari, rounded out the top ten, grappling with grip issues.

Struggles for traditional powerhouses

Ferrari, racing at home, failed to deliver a standout performance. Leclerc, despite a solid lap on softs, trailed Norris by 0.464 seconds, and Hamilton battled instability in Turn 5, as noted over team radio. The Italian squad, which rolled out upgrades for Imola, is still searching for the ideal setup to rival McLaren and Red Bull. Sainz, now at Williams, also underperformed, finishing sixth, 0.470 seconds off the pace.

Mercedes experienced a mixed session. Antonelli shone, but Russell voiced concerns about the car’s handling, particularly in high-speed sections. The German team, navigating a transitional year with Antonelli’s arrival, appears a step behind its rivals. Russell’s lackluster showing, combined with setup woes, raises questions about Mercedes’ qualifying prospects.

Challenges for top teams included:

• Ferrari struggled for pace, with Leclerc and Hamilton outside the top four.
• Mercedes showed inconsistency, with Antonelli outshining Russell.
• Williams, led by Sainz, held promise but fell short of the virtual podium.
• Team upgrades have yet to deliver significant gains.

Surprises in the top ten

Beyond Antonelli, other drivers made waves. Isack Hadjar of Racing Bulls posted the seventh-fastest time, 0.521 seconds off Norris, showcasing the team’s progress. The Frenchman, running mediums, outperformed Russell and Hamilton, bolstering his case for a full-time Formula 1 seat. Williams’ Alexander Albon secured ninth, while Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso narrowly missed the top ten, finishing 11th, 0.832 seconds behind.

Brazil’s Gabriel Bortoleto ended the session 16th, 1.059 seconds off the lead. The Sauber rookie, making his 2025 debut, faced challenges extracting pace from the car, particularly in technical sections like Tamburello. Still, Bortoleto gained valuable experience on Imola’s demanding layout, a circuit known for its aerodynamic and technical demands.

Track and weather conditions

The session unfolded under stable conditions, with an ambient temperature of 22°C and track surface at 45°C. Low humidity at 29% aided tire performance, particularly for soft compounds used in the qualifying simulations. Partly cloudy skies posed no rain threat, ensuring an uninterrupted session. The track, however, proved tricky, with drivers noting limited grip in certain corners.

Pirelli, the official tire supplier, provided medium and soft compounds for TL3, with most drivers favoring softs in the final stages. Verstappen stood out, sticking with mediums longer and still posting competitive times. Tire strategy will be pivotal in qualifying, as teams balance outright speed with durability.

Notable conditions included:

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• Mild temperatures boosted soft tire performance.
• Limited grip demanded precise setup tweaks.
• Pirelli emphasized tire strategy for the race.

Midfield teams step up

Smaller teams like Racing Bulls, Williams, and Alpine showed improvement. Hadjar and Liam Lawson, 7th and 14th for Racing Bulls, highlighted the team’s gains. Williams, with Albon and Sainz, stayed competitive, briefly cracking the top ten. Alpine’s Pierre Gasly finished 15th but showed promise in medium-speed corners.

Sauber, however, struggled. Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg, 16th and 19th, couldn’t match the midfield pace. Haas, with Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon, also remained outside the top ten. These teams, vying for points in the midfield, face a steep challenge in qualifying.

Defining session moments

The session featured tense moments and standout performances. Verstappen briefly ran into the gravel during his fast lap but recovered. Hamilton, frustrated, reported Leclerc for impeding his run, sparking a brief radio exchange. Norris, staying focused, delivered a clean lap to secure the top spot.

Piastri, though unable to beat his teammate, maintained consistency with near-identical times. Antonelli impressed in his debut season, outpacing seasoned drivers, while Hadjar solidified his potential. The session saw limited early action, with drivers prioritizing qualifying simulations toward the end.

Key moments included:

• Verstappen’s gravel trap excursion without major loss.
• Hamilton’s radio complaint about Leclerc’s move.
• Norris’ near-perfect lap in the qualifying run.
• Hadjar and Antonelli’s standout performances.

Qualifying outlook

Qualifying, set for 11 a.m. Brasília time, promises a fierce battle. Norris and Piastri, with the weekend’s fastest car, are pole favorites, but Verstappen’s pace suggests Red Bull is a contender. Ferrari, despite its struggles, could rally at home, while Mercedes seeks answers to boost performance. Antonelli and Hadjar emerge as potential dark horses.

Tire choices will be critical, with teams weighing softs for speed against mediums for longer stints. Stable weather should keep conditions consistent, but track grip remains a hurdle. Imola’s technical corners and fast straights will demand precision from drivers.

Spotlight on leading teams

McLaren heads into qualifying as the team to beat. Aerodynamic upgrades, including the tailored rear wing, have given them an edge in Imola. Norris, buoyed by TL3, eyes his first pole of 2025, while Piastri aims to reclaim Friday’s form. Their internal rivalry adds intrigue to the session.

Red Bull, spearheaded by Verstappen, showed signs of recovery after a quiet Friday. The Dutchman, a three-time champion, tested race pace on mediums but will likely switch to softs for qualifying. Yuki Tsunoda, 17th, struggled, putting pressure on Verstappen to lead the charge.

Standout drivers

Norris stole the show in TL3, blending precision and aggression. Piastri, despite finishing second, kept McLaren dominant. Verstappen, even with a mistake, proved his qualifying threat. Antonelli, in his rookie year, turned heads by outpacing veterans, while Hadjar put Racing Bulls on the map.

Bortoleto, though 16th, gained crucial experience in Imola. The Brazilian, debuting in 2025, tackled a challenging circuit and aims to improve in qualifying. Hamilton endured a tough session, battling Ferrari’s setup issues.

Race preparations

Sunday’s race, set for 10 a.m. Brasília time, will hinge on qualifying strategy. Pirelli noted tire management as key, given Imola’s hot asphalt and high-speed corners. Teams balancing speed and tire wear will hold an edge.

McLaren, with the fastest car, is the favorite, but Red Bull and Ferrari remain in contention. Mercedes, despite setbacks, could score points, while Racing Bulls and Williams aim to capitalize on opportunities. Bortoleto will look to climb the order on race day.

Weekend highlights

The Emilia-Romagna GP kicks off Formula 1’s 2025 European leg. Imola, a historic circuit, returned to the calendar in recent years and is known for demanding corners like Tamburello and Acque Minerali. The event holds special weight for Ferrari, racing before their home crowd.

Notable facts include:

• Imola hosts the first European GP of 2025.
• Ferrari faces pressure to perform for Italian fans.
• Antonelli and Bortoleto debut at Imola in Formula 1.
• McLaren’s bespoke aerodynamic upgrades shine.