Charles Leclerc maintained his top spot in FP2 of F1 Imola GP from Oscar Piastri, as Yuki Tsunoda stepped up to end up third.
The tight run continued in FP2 of F1 Imola GP as Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc maintained his top spot with a 1m15.906s lap where he was the only driver to dip under the 1m15s barrier by doing two laps in that timezone on the soft compound.
There was a chance for McLaren’s Lando Norris to better him but the Brit made a mistake on his fast lap in the final corner which is why he pitted straight up and abandon his lap to end up only 12th, setting his best time on the medium tyre.
His teammate Oscar Piastri managed a clean lap to be second with a 1m16.098s lap, with Visa Cash App RB’s Yuki Tsunoda doing a stellar job in third with a 1m16.286s lap. He led the two Mercedes cars of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.
The former was complained about multiple drivers for coming in their way, which included a moment with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen too. The Dutchman was not happy to be only seventh behind Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, who also had a grass moment.
Verstappen faced traffic on his fast lap, but his struggles continued in the middle sector. He led teammate Sergio Perez in eighth who was surprised by Leclerc in a late-braking overtaking move, after the Mexican held up the Monegasque.
Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg was ninth from Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, with Visa Cash App RB’s Daniel Ricciardo in 11th from Norris. The other Aston Martin of Lance Stroll was 13th from Alpine pair of Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly.
The latter had an early spin around but managed to continue on. Stake F1 Team’s Valtteri Bottas was 16th from Haas’ Kevin Magnussen, as Williams’ Alexander Albon was 18th with Logan Sargant 20th behind Stake F1 Team’s Zhou Guanyu.
Both the Williams drivers had to wait before heading out, where Albon had his module changed after the problems they faced in FP1. The team did not mention if they changed anything on Sargeant’s side but he too had to wait before heading out.
UPDATE: The stewards handed a reprimand to Tsunoda for his practice start infringement in FP2 where he disobeyed the FIA Race Directors’ note. Here: https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2024%20Emilia%20Romagna%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20Infringement%20-%20Car%2022%20-%20Practice%20Start%20Infringement.pdf
Also, Perez and Leclerc cleared of their FP2 run-in where both drivers felt a penalty wasn’t warranted for the offence. Here: https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2024%20Emilia%20Romagna%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20Decision%20-%20Car%2011%20-%20Alleged%20impeding%20of%20Car%2016.pdf
Here’s how FP1 of F1 Imola GP panned out
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