Two McLarens in front, followed by the Ferraris. Then George Russell’s Mercedes and Max Verstappen’s Red Bull. This photograph of the third free practice session of the Made in Italy and Emilia Romagna GP does not express the real values. The exit of Sergio Perez, who ended up nose-first into the protections at the exit of the Variante Gresini, blocked the qualifying simulation a few minutes before the checkered flag. Only Oscar Piastri managed to close his performance with the MCL38, obtaining a 1’15″529 which was already within a tenth of the track record.
McLaren confirmed its excellent form with the second time set by Lando Norris: the Englishman was the first to restart after the red flag caused by Perez and managed to complete a lap three tenths behind his teammate, having not had time to prepare the tires. The “papaya” car will certainly be in contention for pole position, but it is not known where the Ferraris should be placed.
Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc were easily first and second before the flying lap dance began and FP3 was blocked due to Perez’s “nose”. The SF-24 Evoluzione seems in perfect shape, so the reds will also be able to have their say even if the Cavallino drivers are half a second behind the McLarens.
Fifth position for George Russell with Mercedes: the Englishman still suffered from strong bottoming, but got behind the Ferraris, while Lewis Hamilton had not yet found the balance and finished in 17th place with a gap of almost a second from the teammate.
The W15 doesn’t seem to have the potential to aim for the front row, while Max Verstappen should be kept an eye on in the Red Bull. The three-time world champion worked with the medium tires to find a suitable setup and did not have the opportunity to fit the soft compound. The RB20 seemed to have improved, but there is no reference to understand whether the night’s work on the simulator and the return of Giampiero Lambiase to the wall gave a result.
Judging by Perez’s nose, one suspects that the RB20 is not yet at ease when dry. Behind Max came Alexander Albon, excellent in seventh with the Williams ahead of Esteban Ocon with the Alpine and Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin.
Bad blow also for Fernando Alonso who lost the Aston Martin at the exit of the second corner of the Rivazza: the Spaniard oversteered and hit the barriers with his right rear and rear wing. The pilot emerged unharmed from the crash although the team men then took him to the medical center for checks after the first pain appeared. The “verdona” seems to have suffered significant damage to the rear. It is conceivable that the Mercedes transmission as well as the suspension will need to be replaced. Fernando was riding with the hard compound and didn’t have the opportunity to try the soft ones. The red flag interruption took ten minutes of work away from the teams.
The top 10 is completed by Nico Hulkenberg with Haas. The German is in great form, while Kevin Magnussen is only 16th: the Dane tried for a kamikaze lap before the checkered flag, but had to throw himself into the gravel to avoid the two Alpines who were side by side. It could have been a very dangerous situation and it went well…
Daniel Ricciardo confirms 11th with the Racing Bull, followed by Yuki Tsunoda 13th: the Japanese did not attempt the lap, because otherwise we would have seen him in the first half of the grid. Valtteri Bottas is 14th with Sauber, while Guanyu Zhou is last.
#Imola #Free #Practice #McLarens #ahead #Ferraris
