F1 Imola GP 2024 LIVE: Practice results, times and schedule as Charles Leclerc records fastest lap
Lando Norris looks to build on his first F1 win at the Emila Romagna Grand Prix this weekend
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Formula 1 returns to Europe for the first time this season as the iconic Imola circuit hosts the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix this weekend.
Lando Norris claimed a stunning win – his first in F1 – last time out in Miami, beating Max Verstappen after a perfectly timed safety car and securing McLaren’s first win since September 2021.
Nonetheless, Verstappen still has a healthy 33-point lead in the drivers’ championship to Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in third following another podium in Miami.
There’s work to do for Lewis Hamilton, though, who is enduring his worst-ever start to an F1 season, currently languishing down in ninth. Last year’s race at Imola was cancelled due to heavy flooding in the region, while Verstappen triumphed in 2022 and 2021.
Follow latest updates from the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix with The Independent
See you tomorrow!
Thanks for following our coverage of Friday practice at Imola on a day dominated by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc!
Join us again tomorrow for qualifying. Until then, good night!
Max Verstappen fumes at Lewis Hamilton after obstruction: ‘My god!’
A furious Max Verstappen deliberately drove in front of Lewis Hamilton as the one-time rivals clashed in practice for Sunday’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
Verstappen, who was aggrieved that Hamilton had obstructed him on a flying lap, launched his Red Bull into the Mercedes driver’s path here in Imola.
Although Verstappen made sure to avoid making any contact with Hamilton’s machine, the championship leader slowed down to make his feelings clear by taking his left hand off the steering wheel and gesticulating in Hamilton’s direction.
Full piece below:
Max Verstappen fumes at Lewis Hamilton after obstruction: ‘My god!’
The Dutchman was off the pace on Friday, with Charles Leclerc leading the way in both practice sessions
Top-10 in FP2:
1. Charles Leclerc - 1:15:906
2. Oscar Piastri (+0.192)
3. Yuki Tsunoda (+0.380)
4. Lewis Hamilton (+0.391)
5. George Russell (+0.405)
6. Carlos Sainz (+0.517)
7. Max Verstappen (+0.541)
8. Sergio Perez (+0.646)
9. Nico Hulkenberg (+0.920)
10. Fernando Alonso (+0.932)
Charles Leclerc fastest in FP2
Charles Leclerc the man of the moment on Friday then - fastest in both practice sessions!
He takes FP2 by 0.192 seconds to Oscar Piastri in second with a 1:15:906.
Yuki Tsunoda an impressive name in third for RB - three-tenths off - with Lewis Hamilton and George Russell fourth and fifth for Mercedes.
Max Verstappen? Only P7. And he went into the gravel late on too - a sub-optimal day for the world champions!
Charles Leclerc almost hits Sergio Perez
Leclerc almost bangs wheels with Perez - it’s only practice lads!
Leclerc: “What the f***!
Perez: “What’s wrong with the Ferrari?” Engineer: “Let him do his thing, we’ll do our thing.”
FInal few laps now as the sun sets over this iconic circuit.
Top-10: Leclerc, Piastri, Tsunoda, Hamilton, Russell, Sainz, Verstappen, Perez, Hulkenberg, Alonso
Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso annoyed with Lewis Hamilton
The Mercedes seemed to be in the way a bit there!
Verstappen not happy on that count, as well as his Red Bull car.
Onto hards/mediums for most of them now, with 15 minutes left.
Leclerc remains fastest on softs!
Cheers in the stands from the tifosi - and it’s still not quite happening for Red Bull!
Charles Leclerc goes faster with a 1:15:906, 0.192 secs quicker than McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.
Yuki Tsunoda up in third, with Hamilton and Russell fourth and fifth respectively.
6-10: Sainz, Verstappen, Perez, Hulkenberg, Alonso
Norris down in P12. Times set to tumble still though with half-an-hour left...
Charles Leclerc still fastest
All 20 cars have boxed after their initial runs on mostly medium tyres - and it’s a Ferrari one-two after 20 minutes!
Charles Leclerc is top with a 1:16:677, just 0.003 secs quicker than his team-mate Carlos Sainz!
Max Verstappen is third, just 0.057 secs off the pace, with George Russell fourth as he puts in the first lap on the soft tyre!
5-10: Tsunoda, Norris, Perez, Hamilton, Piastri, Alonso
Pierre Gasly goes for a spin!
Hairy moment for the Frenchman in his Alpine as he goes for a spin, but manages to keep the car on track and out the wall!
Most of the field on the medium tyre early on and 10 minutes in, Yuki Tsunoda is the surprise name at the top of the timesheet!
FP2 underway!
The sun is still shining bright in Emilia Romagna as second practice gets underway!
Big session for Kevin Magnussen, who takes to the track for the first time today after making way for Ollie Bearman earlier...
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