McLaren Dominates Imola as Ferrari Seeks Improvement

Imola, Italy – McLaren dominated the opening day of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, with Oscar Piastri clocking the fastest time at 1:15.293 in the second practice session. His teammate, Lando Norris, finished close behind in second place with a time of 1:15.318.

Despite the promising results, Charles Leclerc of Ferrari expressed concerns about their performance, especially in qualifying. “Our race pace seems decent, but it’s difficult to overtake here. Our weak point now is qualifying, so that will be our priority for tomorrow,” he said.

Leclerc’s best time of 1:15.768 left him nearly half a second off the leading pace. Mercedes driver George Russell, who was fourth, stated that his team’s recent updates have improved their performance. Meanwhile, defending champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull struggled, finishing fifth with a time of 1:15.735.

Piastri, who is leading this season’s championship, acknowledged that qualifying is critical. “It’s important to secure a good position since this track is challenging for overtaking,” he commented.

The day saw additional concerns for Ferrari, as Leclerc reported issues with the car’s brakes and its handling in several corners. This comes after the team suffered a disappointing performance at the Miami Grand Prix. Coach Frederic Vasseur has indicated forthcoming adjustments to help the team rebound.

With both McLarens at the top, the competition is heating up as teams prepare for the crucial qualifying session. All eyes will be on whether Ferrari can address its issues in time to contend for a strong starting position.