F1 Imola GP 2024 LIVE: Qualifying updates, times, schedule and results as Fernando Alonso knocked out
Charles Leclerc looks to build on Ferrari’s quick pace ahead of qualifying for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
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Formula 1 returns to Europe for the first time this season as the iconic Imola circuit hosts the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix this weekend.
Lando Norris claimed a stunning win – his first in F1 – last time out in Miami, beating Max Verstappen after a perfectly timed safety car and securing McLaren’s first win since September 2021.
Nonetheless, Verstappen still has a healthy 33-point lead in the drivers’ championship to Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in third following another podium in Miami.
There’s work to do for Lewis Hamilton, though, who is enduring his worst-ever start to an F1 season, currently languishing down in ninth. Last year’s race at Imola was cancelled due to heavy flooding in the region, while Verstappen triumphed in 2022 and 2021.
Follow latest updates from the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix with The Independent
Max Verstappen sets fastest time of weekend
Rapid. 1:15:386 puts Verstappen up top with the fastest lap of the weekend so far!
Perez five-tenths back in second, with Hulkenberg impressing again in third - above Hamilton and Russell.
9:00 left - around half the 15 cars yet to set a time out on track...
Q2 underway!
15 minutes now where we will again lose the slowest five drivers!
Bit of an update from Q1 - Logan Sargeant’s time was deleted for track limits so he will now start 20th on the grid, with Alonso up to 19th.
Fernando ALonso is out in Q1!
Alonso didn’t set a competitive time - he will start P20!
Bottom-five and out in Q1 (16-20): Bottas, Sargeant, Zhou, Magnussen, Alonso
Lewis Hamilton sneaks through in 15th! Close for Mercedes!
And Nico Hulkenberg got himself out of danger by shooting up to P1! Only for Max Verstappen to take P1!
Top-3: Verstappen, Leclerc, Hulkenberg
Alex Albon up to P12
Will that be enough? Albon 12th, three-tenths outside the drop-zone, with Hamilton 13th.
Bottom-five (16-20): Magnussen, Alonso, Hulkenberg, Zhou, Sargeant
2:00 to go.
Fernando Alonso off again!
On his first flying lap, Alonso goes wide at Tamburello and into the gravel! It’s not been a smooth day for the Spaniard, though this time he’s kept the car going.
Bottom-five (16-20): Alonso, Hulkenberg, Zhou, Albon, Sargeant
Daniel Ricciardo and Lewis Hamilton in a spot of bother, in 14th and 12th respectively.
Top-3: Norris, Piastri, Verstappen
4:00 to go.
Oscar Piastri quickest early on
Piastri just under a tenth faster than Verstappen at the top, with Norriis third and Perez fourth.
5-10: Leclerc, Ocon, Hamilton, Alonso, Sainz
Six drivers yet to set a time. 8:00 to go.
George Russell aborts his lap
Bit odd.
Russell - the only driver on medium tyres - is on a flying lap but heads into the pit-lane at the end! Not too sure why...
Anyhow, first set of flying laps being set now - though around eight cars still in the pit-lane...
Q1 underway!
The drivers have the green light at the end of the pit lane and we are underway with the first session of qualifying!
18 minutes - and we will lose the slowest five drivers!
And Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin looks like it will be ready!
F1 qualifying at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix!
I think this is pretty open this afternoon!
Ferrari and McLaren have showed more pace than Red Bull in the practice sessions so far but, obviously, write off Max Verstappen at your peril!
It’s 24C, baking sunshine at Imola - no excuses for the drivers!
Max Verstappen eyeing a record:
Verstappen is looking to level Ayrton Senna’s F1 record of eight consecutive pole positions with top spot today.
Senna, who has been celebrated so vividly this weekend, set the record from 1988-89.
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