Leclerc Dominates FP2 in Imola: Red Bull Drama and Unexpected Surprises
Charles Leclerc stole the show in the second practice session at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, setting the fastest lap time and leaving the competition in the dust. With a lap of 1:15.906, Leclerc's Ferrari sped ahead of the pack, putting McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Red Bull's Yuki Tsunoda in second and third positions, respectively.
An Intriguing Start
The session kicked off at 17:00 local time, with Esteban Ocon leading the racers onto the track. Early laps were crucial, with most drivers keen to test the limits of their cars. Notably, Nico Hulkenberg faced an early setback as he had to return to the pits without setting a time due to issues with his Haas. Williams also had a challenging start, with both cars still in the garage, making slow progress in the initial stages.
As the practice unfolded, the track saw plenty of action. Fernando Alonso found himself frustrated by a slow-moving Lewis Hamilton, while Leclerc, despite expressing concerns about his Ferrari's steering, quickly moved to the top of the timesheets.
Top Performers and Close Calls
The Ferraris seemed to be in prime condition, as evidenced by Leclerc’s stellar performance. As the drivers switched to fast laps on softer tires, Leclerc retained his lead, achieving the fastest lap of 1:15.906. Piastri was just behind, with a time gap of 0.192 seconds. Adding some spice, Yuki Tsunoda delighted the home crowd by grabbing the third spot, although he will be investigated for a potential practice start infringement.
While Leclerc was flying high, Red Bull's Max Verstappen was struggling to get a grip on the tarmac. A near-miss with Hamilton added to his frustrations, even as Hamilton acknowledged the mishap.
Middle of the Pack and Beyond
Lewis Hamilton marked his presence by taking fourth place, followed closely by his Mercedes teammate George Russell. Ferrari's Carlos Sainz secured the sixth position, just behind the two Mercedes. Max Verstappen settled for seventh, his difficulties on the track culminating in a dramatic gravel run during the session’s final minutes.
Sergio Perez, Verstappen’s teammate, added to the drama by prompting an irritated response from Leclerc when Perez appeared to obstruct the racing line in the stage’s closing moments.
Underdogs and Lower Grids
Despite an unsatisfactory start, Nico Hulkenberg managed to lead Haas to a ninth-place finish. Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso rounded out the top ten. Daniel Ricciardo in the Red Bull and Lando Norris in McLaren followed in 11th and 12th respectively. Notably, Lance Stroll, representing Aston Martin, slotted into 13th. The Alpine team saw Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly in 14th and 15th places.
Valtteri Bottas from Kick Sauber landed in the 16th spot, while Kevin Magnussen in Haas, after missing the first practice session, managed to take 17th. Williams' drivers Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant wrapped up a tough day finishing in 18th and 20th, with Kick Sauber’s Zhou Guanyu positioned in 19th.
Looking Ahead
As the opening day of track action concludes, teams and drivers will be mulling over their data, preparing for the third and final practice session on Saturday at 12:30 local time, followed by the highly anticipated qualifying rounds in the afternoon.
The field remains dynamic and unpredictable as drivers and their teams strive for perfection and a chance at victory. Keep your eyes peeled for more as we head into the weekend at the iconic Imola circuit.