Imola, Italy – 17 May 2025 — Oscar Piastri remained cautiously optimistic about McLaren’s prospects at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix after topping both Friday practice sessions at the iconic Imola circuit, ahead of team-mate Lando Norris in a strong one-two finish for the Woking-based outfit.
Piastri, who currently leads the Formula 1 World Championship by 16 points after a dominant start to the 2025 season with four wins in six races, edged Norris by a mere 0.025 seconds in the second session, solidifying McLaren’s early grip on the weekend.
Despite the impressive pace, the Australian was quick to temper expectations, warning that their rivals, particularly Mercedes and reigning champion Max Verstappen’s Red Bull, typically find more speed come Saturday.
“I don’t think it’s just Lando and me,” said Piastri. “There are a few others who will join us in the fight tomorrow so we have got to keep our heads down and find a bit more.
“Saturday has been very important pretty much everywhere this year, and Imola – regardless of what the rest of this year has looked like – is a place where qualifying means a lot.”
Qualifying has proven to be pivotal across the tightly contested 2025 season, with track position often dictating race strategy on circuits where overtaking remains a challenge. Imola, with its narrow layout and historic corners, is no exception.
McLaren’s pace was evident from the outset. In first practice, the top five were separated by less than a tenth of a second, underscoring the competitive nature of the current grid. However, by second practice, the McLarens had pulled clear, with Alpine’s Pierre Gasly 0.276 seconds off Piastri in third.
George Russell managed to place his Mercedes fourth in the afternoon session, followed by Verstappen, who appeared to be struggling for rear grip throughout the day. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc rounded out the top six in front of the Tifosi but will be hoping for more as the Scuderia aims to impress on home soil.
Verstappen, who has endured a mixed start to his title defense, cut a frustrated figure over team radio during FP2, citing balance issues and traffic hampering his flying laps. Red Bull will be working overnight to unlock more performance ahead of qualifying.
Meanwhile, Norris, who secured his first career victory earlier this season and sits second in the standings, appeared content with the day’s running. “We’re in a good place, but it’s all about piecing it together tomorrow,” he said. “Imola rewards precision, and qualifying will be critical.”
As teams prepare for Saturday’s all-important qualifying session, McLaren’s early pace has undoubtedly sent a warning shot. But with conditions set to evolve and rivals gearing up for their own improvements, the fight for pole at Imola promises to be as fierce as ever.
The Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix continues Saturday with final practice and qualifying, with lights out for Sunday’s race scheduled for 14:00 BST. Live commentary is available on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, with real-time updates on the BBC Sport website and app.
