First part of the free training
Sunny. Dry. Air +23…24С, highway +43С
After two consecutive stages with a Saturday sprint, Formula 1 returned to Europe, to the usual campers and the traditional weekend format. In Imola the weather did not disappoint and the teams were able to work fully on training – nine teams brought new products to this stage.
In Haas F1, Kevin Magnussen’s car was driven by Oliver Berman, who was recently involved in a serious accident during Formula 2 practice, which raised red flags. The Brit was not injured and doctors allowed him to participate in Formula 1 training.
Fans already filled the stands on Friday. Last year the stage was canceled due to flooding, Imola missed Formula 1 and the stands were painted red.
Imola is an old school circuit. In several bends the asphalt safety zones were replaced by gravel zones, causing a few incidents.
Verstappen went wide into Turn 13 on a fast lap and returned to the pits for a check. At the exit of the 17th, Tsunoda drove his right rear wheel into the curb – he almost got turned over.
In the 20th minute the session was stopped by red flags – Alex Albon stopped at the side of the road due to problems with the car – during the descent to Turn 12 the power unit unexpectedly lost power and the Williams driver spun onto the grass.
After the break, the riders rode on softer tires and the track condition improved, which affected the results. The riders started attacking more actively.
Ricciardo made a mistake braking at Turn 17 and went into the gravel, but returned to the track. Hamilton spun onto the curb at Turn 12 but continued to drive. Verstappen complained about the brakes and cut the chicane at turns 14 and 15, ruining his lap. Hamilton then went into the gravel, after which Verstappen got stuck in the gravel again during a fast lap.
The first practice session was led by Charles Leclerc, much to the delight of the tifosi, completing a lap in 1:16.990. George Russell lost tenths to him and Carlos Sainz lost 13 hundredths. Interesting results.
Results of the first session
| Pilot | Team | Time | Difference | Circles |
| 1. S. Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:16,990 | – | thirty |
| 2. D. Russell | Mercedes | 1:17,094 | +0.104 | 28 |
| 3. K.Sainz | Ferrari | 1:17.120 | +0.130 | 25 |
| 4. C. Perez | Red Bull | 1:17.233 | +0.243 | 23 |
| 5. M. Verstappen | Red Bull | 1:17,240 | +0.250 | 21 |
| 6. Yu.Tsunoda | RB | 1:17,388 | +0.398 | 29 |
| 7. L. Hamilton | Mercedes | 1:17,408 | +0.418 | 27 |
| 8. L.Norris | McLaren | 1:17,602 | +0.612 | 17 |
| 9. O. Piastri | McLaren | 1:17,807 | +0.817 | 25 |
| 10. F. Alonso | Aston Martin | 1:17,867 | +0.877 | 18 |
| 11. P. Gasly | Alps | 1:17.905 | +0.915 | 21 |
| 12. L. Walk | Aston Martin | 1:18,072 | +1,082 | 22 |
| 13. D. Ricciardo | RB | 1:18,142 | +1,152 | 26 |
| 14. E.Okon | Alps | 1:18,612 | +1,622 | 29 |
| 15. O. Berman | Hare | 1:18,667 | +1,677 | 31 |
| 16. V. Bottas | Sauber | 1:18,827 | +1,837 | 23 |
| 17. G.Zhou | Sauber | 1:19,129 | +2,139 | 18 |
| 18. L. Sargent | Williams | 1:19,901 | +2,911 | 22 |
| 19. A. Elbon | Williams | 1:20,050 | +3,060 | 8 |
| 20. N. Hulkenberg | Hare | 1:21,059 | +4,069 | 20 |
Source: F1 News
I am Christopher Clyde, an experienced journalist and content writer with a passion for sports. I have been writing about Formula 1 news for the past five years and am currently employed as an author at athletistic.com, one of the top sports websites in the US.
