Piastri Leads McLaren One-Two in Final Practice at Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
Oscar Piastri was the fastest driver in the third and final free practice session for the 2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. The Australian lead a McLaren one-two on Saturday. Piastri set the mark with a best lap time of 1:15.529s on a clear day at the Imola circuit.
McLaren Dominates
Lando Norris, fresh off his victory at the Miami Grand Prix, followed closely behind his teammate, clocking in 0.3 seconds slower. The McLaren duo’s performance signals a strong potential for the team in the upcoming qualifying session, as they continue to build on their recent success.
Ferrari’s Strong Showing
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc were in contention for the top spots until the final minutes of the session. Sainz and Leclerc ended up third and fourth respectively, with Leclerc having been the fastest in both Friday sessions. The Ferrari drivers demonstrated strong pace, but couldn’t match the speed of the McLarens in the final practice.
Red Bull’s Struggles and Red Flags
Red Bull faced a challenging session. Triple Formula One world champion Max Verstappen off the pace, finishing sixth behind Mercedes’ George Russell. Sergio PĂ©rez, brought out red flags with five minutes remaining after crashing nose-first into the barriers at the 14-15 turn chicane.
The session was further interrupted by another red flag incident involving Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso. Alonso lost control at the final corner and crashed. Fortunately he was able to climb out and was cleared to return to the paddock.
Mercedes and Midfield Battles
Mercedes had mixed fortunes, with George Russell securing a solid fifth place, while Lewis Hamilton struggled significantly, finishing only 17th. Hamilton’s performance in the final practice raised some concerns. The seven-time world champion as he looks to find pace ahead of qualifying.
The action-packed session resumed with just two minutes left on the clock. This prompted a flurry of activity as drivers went for one final flying lap. Haas’s Kevin Magnussen had to take evasive action, using the grass runoff to avoid contact with VCARB’s Daniel Ricciardo, who was on the racing line. Additionally, Leclerc aggressively passed Sainz in a bid to set a faster lap time before the session concluded.
The full results of the session can be found here.
Final Thoughts
As the teams prepare for the crucial qualifying session, McLaren’s strong showing in final practice positions them for the top spots on the grid. Ferrari will be aiming to capitalize on their home advantage. While Red Bull needs to address their issues to challenge for the top spots. The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix continues with the qualifying showdown up next.
