has pipped team-mate by 0.32s within the first free observe session for F1’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola, which was crimson flagged for a let crash by Sauber’s .
On the historic Italian observe outdoors Bologna, which is ready to host its final F1 race in the meanwhile, Piastri and Norris led an especially tight session whereas most groups grid trialled sizeable improve packages on the first European race weekend of the 2025 season.
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Norris led the early working with 1m17.125s on softs, with Pirelli debuting its softest C6 compound this weekend to boost the motion.
Mercedes’ then took over with a 1m16.599s till Piastri claimed the highest place shortly after the midway mark, the Australian clocking a 1m16.545s lap across the 4.909km circuit.
Within the different McLaren Norris’ reply adopted quickly sufficient, however after being 0.174s behind on his first try Norris lifted within the remaining sector. Norris’ second try was extra profitable and netted him a 1m16.577s, simply 0.032s shy of Piastri.
That was simply 0.020s faster than a powerful wanting within the fingers of , with Russell demoted to fourth.
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Carlos Sainz, WilliamsSam Bagnall / Motorsport Pictures through Getty Pictures
Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Pictures through Getty Pictures
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voiced his considerations his Ferrari’s brakes as he straight-lined the Variante Alta chicane early on, however the seven-time world champion discovered tempo with a fifth-fastest time, lower than a tenth behind Piastri.
Alpine’s upgrades seemed promising too, with sixth but nonetheless solely 0.151s behind the chief.
was seventh within the Pink Bull, three and a half tenths in arrears, because the reigning world champion trialled a tweaked rear suspension amongst different modifications to the RB20.
The second Williams of and duo Gabriel Bortoleto and accomplished the highest 10.
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That constructive begin for rookie Bortoleto was overshadowed by a late crash for the Brazilian at Rivazza. Bortoleto’s Sauber oversteered on entry within the first a part of Imola’s final nook advanced, which spat him out into the skin gravel entice and ended with mild contact with the wall.
Williams and Sauber are the one two groups that did not declare any upgrades this weekend, which probably explains why they received in control faster than their rivals in FP1.
F1 Imola GP – FP1 outcomes
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