F1 Imola GP 2024 LIVE: Practice results, times and schedule as Charles Leclerc records fastest lap
Lando Norris looks to build on his first F1 win at the Emila Romagna Grand Prix this weekend
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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:
“That turn 11 is a f***ing disaster! I can’t brake late!”
It wouldn’t be an FP1 session without a bit of moaning from Max Verstappen over team radio...
Charles Leclerc still top of the timesheets!
And it’s likely the Ferrari man will stay there, given most of the cars have now switched to race simulations on their hard tyres.
10 to go.
Top-10: Leclerc, Russell, Sainz, Perez, Verstappen, Tsunoda, Hamilton, Piastri, Gasly, Stroll
Lando Norris, race winner last time out, is down in P16 and has been complaining of radio issues...
Lewis Hamilton takes a spin!
The seven-time world champion has a spin at Acque Minerali, but keeps his Mercedes out of the wall!
All OK, back on track.
Top-10: Leclerc, Russell, Sainz, Tsunoda, Hamilton, Piastri, Perez, Verstappen, Stroll, Ricciardo
Ferrari one-two with 25 minutes left!
Carlos Sainz now top of the leaderboard with a 1:17:120, 0.219 secs quicker than Charles Leclerc in second.
Lewis Hamilton is third, three-tenths off Sainz, with Yuki Tsunoda a surprise name in fourth.
Ollie Bearman doing a solid job so far, in tenth in the Haas.
Session resumes!
Albon’s Williams has been rolled out of harms way and the session resumes with 35 minutes left!
George Russell quickest as the pack get back on track, with Oscar Piastri positioned in second and Lewis Hamilton in third.
4-10: Verstappen, Tsunoda, Sainz, Leclerc, Perez, Stroll, Ricciardo
Red flag in Imola practice!
Alex Albon’s session is over!
He’s stopped on the grass in sector two, no signs of a crash - presumably a technical fault with that Williams car!
Not ideal, just a matter of days after he signed a new contract.
20 minutes in, the timer will continue to tick down...
Yuki Tsunoda almost spins off!
Tsunoda just keeps his RB on the road after his wheels touched the gravel!
Lewis Hamilton went close to losing control of his Mercedes too!
15 minutes in, George Russell is now top, followed by Piastri, Verstappen, Perez, Sainz.
Lando Norris changes his front nose
Bit of an unusual move early on from McLaren, with the papaya changing the front nose on Norris’ car almost straight away!
His team-mate Oscar Piastri is top of the timesheets early on, followed by Lewis Hamilton and George Russell...
FP1 underway!
The weekend action gets underway at Imola!
A huge queue at the end of the pitlane with Fernando Alonso leading the pack in his Aston Martin car.
Bearman straight out there too, replacing Kevin Magnussen.
Five minutes from first practice!
It’s gusty but sunny out there as the drivers ready themselves for first practice at Imola!
Ollie Bearman will be taking to the track for Haas in one of six planned practice sessions this season.
How will he perform, particularly after that shunt earlier in the day in F2 practice?
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