F1 Imola GP 2024 LIVE: Qualifying updates, times, schedule and results
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
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.
Driver Standings ahead of qualifying this weekend:
1. Max Verstappen - 136 points
2. Sergio Perez - 103 points
3. Charles Leclerc - 98 points
4. Lando Norris - 83 points
5. Carlos Sainz - 83 points
6. Oscar Piastri - 41 points
7. George Russell - 37 points
8. Fernando Alonso - 33 points
9. Lewis Hamilton - 27 points
10. Yuki Tsunoda -14 points
11. Lance Stroll - 9 points
12. Oliver Bearman - 6 points
13. Nico Hulkenberg - 6 points
14. Daniel Ricciardo - 5 points
15. Esteban Ocon - 1 point
16. Kevin Magnussen - 1 point
17. Alex Albon - 0 points
18. Zhou Guanyu - 0 points
19. Pierre Gasly - 0 points
20. Valtteri Bottas - 0 points
21. Logan Sargeant - 0 points
Aston Martin update on Alonso’s car
This from an Aston representative: “The team is still working flat out to get Fernando’s AMR24 ready for the start of Qualifying following his crash in FP3.”
Will the Spaniard be able to compete?
Lewis Hamilton would like to see teenager Kimi Antonelli replace him at Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton has called on Mercedes boss Toto Wolff to replace him with 17-year-old Kimi Antonelli.
Seven-time world champion Hamilton will leave a vacant seat at the Silver Arrows when he joins Ferrari in 2025.
Wolff has flirted with Max Verstappen while Carlos Sainz – making way for Hamilton at Ferrari – is also a contender for the seat.
“Carlos is a great driver so wherever he goes he would be a positive for any team,” said Hamilton ahead of this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola.
“I have no idea what Toto’s plans are, but for me, if it was my job and my role, I would take on a youngster, and I would take on Kimi.”
Lewis Hamilton would like to see teenager Kimi Antonelli replace him at Mercedes
Antonelli, who turns 18 in August, has recently tested Mercedes machinery in Austria and Imola.
Ollie Bearman crashes in heavy shunt in F2 practice at Imola
Ollie Bearman has been involved in a heavy crash in Formula 2 practice at Imola on Friday.
The British 18-year-old, who made his F1 debut so impressively for Ferrari in Saudi Arabia in March, lost control of his Prema car at Tamburello corner.
The nose of his Prema car connected heavily with the crash barrier but he emerged from the cockpit unscathed.
The incident resulted in a red flag, stopping the session.
The crash occurred a matter of hours before Bearman takes to the track in F1 practice for Haas.
Ollie Bearman crashes in heavy shunt in F2 practice at Imola
The British 18-year-old lost control of his Prema car a matter of hours before he takes to the track in F1 practice
Constructors’ standings ahead of qualifying:
1. Red Bull - 239 points
2. Ferrari - 187 points
3. McLaren - 124 points
4. Mercedes - 64 points
5. Aston Martin - 42 points
6. RB - 19 points
7. Haas - 7 points
8. Alpine - 1 point
9. Williams - 0 points
10. Sauber - 0 points
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