As the engines roared to life during Saturday's third and final practice session for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, all eyes were on the emerging star, Oscar Piastri. The young prodigy dazzled the crowds by setting the fastest time, a performance that marked a notable moment in his blossoming motorsport career. Backed by a strong showing from his McLaren teammate Lando Norris, the session was a thrilling challenge to the dominance of established teams like Ferrari and Red Bull.
Piastri's Stellar Performance
Piastri wasted no time establishing his supremacy on the timesheets. Bolstered by the swift pace of his McLaren, he took top honors ahead of teammate Norris and the Ferrari duo of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc. The Scuderia drivers initially enjoyed a one-two lead in front of their fervent home supporters, but the final ten minutes of the session turned the tide.
In the critical last stretch, Piastri slapped on fresh soft tyres and went full throttle. His lap times proved untouchable just moments before Sergio Perez’s Red Bull skidded off the track at the exit of Variante Alta, triggering red flags and forcing his competitors to abandon their laps.
Crash Frenzy: Perez and Alonso's Misfortune
The session wasn’t without its dramatic moments. Sergio Perez’s crash added a tinge of chaos just after Piastri had stamped his authority. As marshals scrambled to clear the debris and resume the session, Lando Norris seized the opportunity to claim the second-best time, displacing the Ferraris and relegating George Russell and Max Verstappen to fifth and sixth places respectively.
But the drama wasn’t over. Midway through the session, Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin encountered a devastating crash at Rivazza. The Spaniard's car required extensive repairs, placing a massive burden on his mechanics ahead of the all-important qualifying rounds. Alonso’s mishap underscored the perilous nature of the Imola track, notorious for its daunting corners and high-speed segments.
Video Highlights
Fans craving a visual recap of the exhilarating session can hit play on the video above, capturing every high and low of the FP3 spectacle. From Piastri’s jaw-dropping lap to the intensity of Alonso and Perez’s crashes, the footage encapsulates the raw excitement and unpredictability that makes Formula 1 so riveting.