McLaren will get 1-2 in red-flagged FP2

Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris have ended Friday operating at Components 1’s Imola GP on high as McLaren appears set to retain its early 2025 benefit, heading an FP2 session red-flagged for Isack Hadjar’s late off.

Piastri had already led the way in which in FP1 earlier within the afternoon and underlined McLaren’s ominous kind. Piastri pipped team-mate Norris by a mere 0.025s however the pair comfortably stayed forward of the competitors.

Initially of the one-hour session Norris instantly took cost with a 1m16.074s mediums, which was bested by Carlos Sainz within the Williams operating on the identical compound.

The primary qualifying runs on Pirelli’s softest C6 tyre adopted after some 20 minutes, with George Russell the primary driver to dip under 2024’s pole time with a 1m15.693s within the Mercedes.

Piastri took an enormous chunk out of that point with a 1m15.293s, 0.025s forward of team-mate Norris. Norris had one other go at taking on first place, however regardless of going quickest in sector two the Briton did not enhance on his earlier lap time.

Alpine’s Pierre Gasly was a shock third, confirming the stable begin the crew made in first apply, with Mercedes man Russell in third.

World champion Max Verstappen accomplished a extra encouraging session after a scrappy FP1 hampered by steadiness issues on the Purple Bull RB21, however the Dutchman nonetheless got here 4 tenths in need of difficult the McLarens.

Charles Leclerc was sixth for Ferrari, regardless of urging his crew to handle its shortcomings within the Villeneuve, Piratella and Acque Minerali corners.

Isack Hadjar was seventh for Racing Bulls regardless of a late off in Flip 1’s Tamburello. With eight minutes to go Hadjar obtained free on the exit, which despatched him spinning off into the gravel entice. The Frenchman was ultimately unable to rejoin as his Racing Bulls automotive ended up beached within the gravel, bringing out a short pink flag.

The session was resumed for 2 extra minutes which allowed groups to conduct the customary apply begins.

Yuki Tsunoda was eighth after a stable afternoon, only one tenth behind his illustrious team-mate, with Williams duo Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon rounding out the highest 10.

Lewis Hamilton was a muted eleventh for Ferrari after scuffling with the brakes, slipping up within the Variante Alta chicane as he did in FP1.

On his F1 return with Alpine, Argentina’s Franco Colapinto completed Friday in thirteenth place following a clear first day again behind the wheel.

F1 Imola GP – FP2 outcomes