The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix kicked off with a bang as McLaren asserted dominance in the first practice session, with Oscar Piastri edging out teammate Lando Norris at the picturesque Imola track. The McLaren team seems to have a firm grasp on the competition this season, and their presence was undeniably felt in the opening session.
Oscar Piastri clocked in an impressive lap time of 1:16.545 using the soft tire compound, barely edging out Lando Norris, who trailed by a mere 0.032 seconds. The sweltering 40-degree track temperatures seemed to work in McLaren’s favor, allowing their MCL39 to shine. Carlos Sainz in his Williams came in third, just a whisker behind, followed closely by Mercedes’ George Russell.
The session wasn’t without its dramatics, as Lewis Hamilton, racing for Ferrari, voiced his grievances over the team radio. He accused Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar of executing a ‘brake test’ maneuver on him at the Variante Alta. Hamilton’s frustrations did not end there; he also found himself in an awkward encounter with Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg at Piratella.
For Red Bull, it was a session of mixed emotions. Max Verstappen found himself wrestling with the RB21’s rear end, frequently voicing his difficulty in trusting the handling. Despite the struggle, Verstappen managed a seventh-place finish, while teammate Yuki Tsunoda faced continuous traffic issues, much to his dismay. Traffic woes plagued his critical push laps, hindering his performance.
The session concluded faster than anticipated when Gabriel Bortoleto collided with the barriers at Rivazza, causing significant front-end damage to his Sauber. This brought the session to an early halt, punctuating an eventful day at the track.
The opening practice at Imola has set the stage for an intense weekend of racing, with McLaren making a compelling statement early on. While the competition remains tight, the team’s performance hints at a season full of promise and excitement.
