Chaos in Imola: Verstappen Falters, McLaren Rise, and Red Flags Wreak Havoc in…read more
The 2025 Formula 1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola kicked off with surprising twists and dramatic moments during Friday’s practice sessions. While McLaren continued to dominate, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen had an unusually difficult day, and red flags were brought out in both FP1 and FP2 due to late-session incidents.
In Free Practice 2, Max Verstappen found himself outpaced not only by the McLarens but also by competitors from Alpine and Mercedes. The Dutchman could only manage fifth fastest, finishing 0.442 seconds behind McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who topped the timesheets with a blistering lap of 1:15.293. Lando Norris closely followed his teammate in second, a mere 0.025 seconds behind.
Pierre Gasly delivered a strong performance for Alpine, securing third place and continuing the team’s impressive pace throughout the day. George Russell took fourth for Mercedes, and Verstappen slotted in fifth ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. The surprise performer of FP2 was Red Bull junior and Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar, who ended the session seventh but brought out a red flag after spinning at Turn 3 and crashing into the tyre barriers. The crash ended the session prematurely and marked a frustrating moment for Red Bull’s extended lineup.
Elsewhere in the top ten, Yuki Tsunoda showed improved pace in the second Red Bull car to finish eighth, followed by Alex Albon in ninth for Williams, and Carlos Sainz rounding out the top ten in the second Williams car. Lewis Hamilton, still adjusting to life at Ferrari, struggled with brake issues, ultimately finishing eleventh. He was heard over team radio complaining that his car “doesn’t want to stop,” a sentiment echoed by teammate Charles Leclerc in FP2.
Haas’ Ollie Bearman managed twelfth, while Franco Colapinto impressed on his return to Alpine, finishing in thirteenth place. The Argentinian is filling in for Jack Doohan for at least the next five rounds. Behind him were veterans Fernando Alonso in fourteenth and Liam Lawson in fifteenth. Gabriel Bortoleto, who caused a red flag in FP1 with a spin at Rivazza 1, ended FP2 in sixteenth, ahead of Lance Stroll, Kimi Antonelli, Nico Hulkenberg, and Esteban Ocon.
Free Practice 1 earlier in the day also saw McLaren on top, with Oscar Piastri setting the pace once again, this time with a lap of 1:16.545. Lando Norris was narrowly behind by just 0.032 seconds. Carlos Sainz delivered a surprise performance to go third fastest, just 0.052 seconds off the lead. George Russell and Lewis Hamilton followed closely in fourth and fifth, while Gasly placed sixth.
Verstappen’s struggles were apparent in FP1 as well, where he could only muster the seventh-fastest time, 0.360 seconds off the front. Albon, Bortoleto, and Nico Hulkenberg completed the top ten. Lance Stroll and Charles Leclerc were just outside in eleventh and twelfth, with rookie Kimi Antonelli and veteran Fernando Alonso trailing.
Franco Colapinto marked his return to F1 action with a seventeenth-place finish in FP1, ahead of Haas rookie Bearman. Isack Hadjar and Esteban Ocon rounded out the grid.
Brake issues seemed to be a recurring theme for Ferrari, with both Hamilton and Leclerc voicing concerns over team radio during both sessions. Despite this, Ferrari managed to keep both drivers competitive, although not yet at the front-running pace.
Overall, McLaren’s dominance was the headline story of the day, with Piastri and Norris looking in top form ahead of qualifying. Red Bull, typically strong in practice, appeared to be playing catch-up — a rare sight with Verstappen out of the top three in both sessions. Meanwhile, the midfield battle remains tight, with Alpine, Mercedes, and Williams all showing competitive form.
As the weekend progresses, all eyes will be on whether Verstappen can bounce back and if McLaren can convert their Friday pace into pole position and a potential race win.
