The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix kicked off in electrifying fashion as Max Verstappen expressed his frustration by banging his steering wheel, while McLaren stunned everyone by securing a remarkable 1-2 finish in the opening practice session.
The session saw Oscar Piastri from McLaren setting the pace with a blistering lap time of 1:16.545 on the new Pirelli C6 tires, edging out his teammate Lando Norris by a mere 0.032 seconds. Carlos Sainz followed closely in third place, showcasing an intense battle among the top teams.
The event also introduced new faces to the track, with Kimi Antonelli impressing early on by leading the pack before the session was interrupted by various incidents. One such moment involved a close call between Fernando Alonso and Charles Leclerc, adding a touch of drama to the practice session.
As drivers pushed the limits, Verstappen faced challenges with his RB21, experiencing handling issues and finding himself down in 11th place. Meanwhile, other contenders like Lewis Hamilton and Leclerc grappled with their own set of problems, highlighting the demanding nature of the Imola circuit.
Amidst the ups and downs, McLaren showcased their dominance with Piastri and Norris clinching the top spots, while Verstappen struggled to make an impact. The session came to a dramatic end when Gabriel Bortoleto crashed his Aston Martin, bringing out the red flag and concluding the practice with a thrilling finish.
The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix is off to a riveting start, setting the stage for an action-packed weekend filled with intense rivalries and unexpected twists. Stay tuned as the drama unfolds on the iconic Imola circuit.
