Imola GP FP1: Oscar Piastri leads McLaren 1-2

Full 2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Free Practice 1 Results – Oscar Piastri led a commanding McLaren 1-2 in Imola GP FP1, narrowly edging out his teammate Lando Norris by just 0.032 seconds.

The performance not only set the tone for the weekend but also underscored McLaren’s continued ascendancy in the 2025 Formula 1 season as the team capitalized on upgrades and favorable conditions to dominate the timesheets in the first European round of the year.

The Imola GP FP1 session commenced under dry sunny skies with track temperatures soaring to around 40 degrees Celsius-ideal conditions for teams to evaluate their latest updates and the newly introduced C6 Pirelli soft compound.

As the lights went green, the paddock buzzed with anticipation with several teams rolling out significant development packages aimed at shifting the competitive balance for the upcoming triple-header of European races.

The atmosphere was further energized by the return of Franco Colapinto to the Alpine garage, replacing Jack Doohan for the next five events and Charles Leclerc’s comeback for Ferrari after illness forced him to miss Thursday’s media activities.

Current championship leader Oscar Piastri wasted no time in establishing himself at the top of the leaderboard. His lap of 1:16.545 on the soft C6 tyres was a testament to both his growing confidence and the effectiveness of McLaren’s latest upgrades.

Meanwhile, his teammate Lando Norris was just a whisker behind clocking a 1:16.577 ensuring a McLaren lockout at the front.

Williams continued their impressive 2025 F1 campaign with Carlos Sainz securing third just 0.052 seconds off Piastri’s benchmark. George Russell piloting the lead Mercedes, slotted into fourth, a mere 0.054 seconds adrift.

Lewis Hamilton rounded out the top five for Ferrari. His session was not without drama as he voiced his frustration over team radio after a close call with Isack Hadjar’s Racing Bulls car exiting Variante Alta.

The session also saw Hamilton involved in another incident when Nico Hulkenberg encountered the Ferrari at Piratella further illustrating the intensity and traffic challenges of the Imola circuit.

Pierre Gasly delivered a strong showing for Alpine, finishing sixth and just 0.151 seconds off the top time. Meanwhile his new teammate Franco Colapinto ended the session in 17th, using the Imola GP FP1 to acclimatize to the car and the circuit.

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Red Bull endured a more difficult session with Max Verstappen only managing seventh fastest, 0.360 seconds off Piastri’s pace. The Dutchman was visibly frustrated, complaining over team radio about the unpredictability of the car’s rear end and was seen banging his steering wheel after an oversteer moment late in the session.

Verstappen’s teammate Yuki Tsunoda struggled with traffic and could not string together a clean lap ultimately finishing 16th.

Williams’ Alex Albon continued his consistent run of form setting the eighth-fastest time while the Sauber duo of Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg completed the top ten. Bortoleto’s session ended prematurely after he spun and hit the barriers at Rivazza, triggering a red flag with just under three minutes remaining.

2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Free Practice 1 Results