McLaren showcased a commanding performance during Friday`s practice sessions for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris topping the timesheets in both outings, much to the disappointment of Ferrari fans at their home race.
Australian driver Piastri, who has claimed victory in four of the last five races, recorded the quickest lap time around the Imola circuit. He posted a 1:16.545 in the initial session, later improving to 1:15.293 in the subsequent practice.
His teammate, Norris, currently positioned 16 points behind Piastri in the championship standings after six events, was hot on his heels. Norris finished just 0.032 seconds adrift in the first practice and 0.025 seconds behind in the second.
Imola, a classic circuit holding historical significance, particularly known as the site of Ayrton Senna`s fatal accident in 1994, serves as Ferrari`s home ground and marks the start of the European leg of the season. The track is also expected to be removed from the calendar after this year.
The first practice session was prematurely ended and not resumed following a crash involving Brazilian rookie Gabriel Bortoleto with approximately three minutes remaining. Fortunately, Bortoleto was able to walk away from the incident unharmed.
In that opening session, Carlos Sainz secured third place for Williams, 0.052 seconds off the leading pace, closely followed by George Russell of Mercedes, who was merely 0.002 seconds slower.
The second practice saw Pierre Gasly surprisingly claim third place for Alpine, although he was 0.276 seconds behind Piastri, with Russell once again finishing fourth.
Further disruption occurred in the second session when Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar spun off the track at high speed, becoming stuck in the gravel and prompting another red flag period.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, preparing for his first Italian Grand Prix ahead of his move to Ferrari next year, finished fifth in the first session (0.096 seconds behind) and 11th in the second (0.650 seconds behind).
Red Bull`s Max Verstappen, a four-time world champion, ended the day seventh and fifth fastest in the respective sessions, while Ferrari`s Charles Leclerc finished sixth overall.
“I can`t rely on the rear. It feels like I`m drifting everywhere,” complained Verstappen, last year`s winner at Imola, over his team radio during the initial practice.
Both Ferrari drivers also reported issues with their brakes throughout the sessions.
Mercedes` 18-year-old rookie Kimi Antonelli, the only Italian competitor on the grid making his home debut, finished 13th and 18th in the two practice sessions.
Argentine rookie Franco Colapinto, stepping into the Alpine car as a replacement for Jack Doohan, placed 17th in the first practice but climbed to 13th by the end of the afternoon, managing to stay out of trouble.
Leclerc, who had been feeling unwell on Thursday and missed media engagements, finished 12th in the first session, during which he also went off track into the gravel. He also commented on his helmet lifting at speed, causing discomfort.
Dominic Ashworth