F1 Imola GP 2024 LIVE: Qualifying updates, times, schedule and results ahead of FP3
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Lando Norris returns to McLaren HQ after Miami Grand Prix triumph
Formula 1 returns to Europe for the first time this season as the iconic Imola circuit hosts the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix this weekend.
Lando Norris claimed a stunning win – his first in F1 – last time out in Miami, beating Max Verstappen after a perfectly timed safety car and securing McLaren’s first win since September 2021.
Nonetheless, Verstappen still has a healthy 33-point lead in the drivers’ championship to Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in third following another podium in Miami.
There’s work to do for Lewis Hamilton, though, who is enduring his worst-ever start to an F1 season, currently languishing down in ninth. Last year’s race at Imola was cancelled due to heavy flooding in the region, while Verstappen triumphed in 2022 and 2021.
Follow latest updates from the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix with The Independent
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Driver Standings ahead of the action this weekend:
1. Max Verstappen - 136 points
2. Sergio Perez - 103 points
3. Charles Leclerc - 98 points
4. Lando Norris - 83 points
5. Carlos Sainz - 83 points
6. Oscar Piastri - 41 points
7. George Russell - 37 points
8. Fernando Alonso - 33 points
9. Lewis Hamilton - 27 points
10. Yuki Tsunoda -14 points
11. Lance Stroll - 9 points
12. Oliver Bearman - 6 points
13. Nico Hulkenberg - 6 points
14. Daniel Ricciardo - 5 points
15. Esteban Ocon - 1 point
16. Kevin Magnussen - 1 point
17. Alex Albon - 0 points
18. Zhou Guanyu - 0 points
19. Pierre Gasly - 0 points
20. Valtteri Bottas - 0 points
21. Logan Sargeant - 0 points
Kieran Jackson18 May 2024 10:39
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F1 start time at Imola this weekend:
(All times BST)
Saturday 18 May
- Free practice 3: 11:30am
- Qualifying: 3pm
Sunday 19 May
- Race: 2pm
Kieran Jackson18 May 2024 10:36
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F1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix!
Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of third practice and qualifying at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix!
It was a tough day for Max Verstappen and Red Bull on Friday, with pace and car control lacking, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was the quickest man in both practice sessions in front of the home tifosi crowd.
So, could we have a first non-Verstappen pole-sitter this season in qualifying later? Stay right here for all the build-up and updates!
Kieran Jackson18 May 2024 10:35
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See you tomorrow!
Thanks for following our coverage of Friday practice at Imola on a day dominated by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc!
Join us again tomorrow for qualifying. Until then, good night!
Kieran Jackson17 May 2024 18:11
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Max Verstappen fumes at Lewis Hamilton after obstruction: ‘My god!’
A furious Max Verstappen deliberately drove in front of Lewis Hamilton as the one-time rivals clashed in practice for Sunday’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
Verstappen, who was aggrieved that Hamilton had obstructed him on a flying lap, launched his Red Bull into the Mercedes driver’s path here in Imola.
Although Verstappen made sure to avoid making any contact with Hamilton’s machine, the championship leader slowed down to make his feelings clear by taking his left hand off the steering wheel and gesticulating in Hamilton’s direction.
Full piece below:
Max Verstappen fumes at Lewis Hamilton after obstruction: ‘My god!’
The Dutchman was off the pace on Friday, with Charles Leclerc leading the way in both practice sessions
Kieran Jackson17 May 2024 17:54
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Top-10 in FP2:
1. Charles Leclerc - 1:15:906
2. Oscar Piastri (+0.192)
3. Yuki Tsunoda (+0.380)
4. Lewis Hamilton (+0.391)
5. George Russell (+0.405)
6. Carlos Sainz (+0.517)
7. Max Verstappen (+0.541)
8. Sergio Perez (+0.646)
9. Nico Hulkenberg (+0.920)
10. Fernando Alonso (+0.932)
Kieran Jackson17 May 2024 17:12
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Charles Leclerc fastest in FP2
Charles Leclerc the man of the moment on Friday then - fastest in both practice sessions!
He takes FP2 by 0.192 seconds to Oscar Piastri in second with a 1:15:906.
Yuki Tsunoda an impressive name in third for RB - three-tenths off - with Lewis Hamilton and George Russell fourth and fifth for Mercedes.
Max Verstappen? Only P7. And he went into the gravel late on too - a sub-optimal day for the world champions!
Kieran Jackson17 May 2024 17:00
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Charles Leclerc almost hits Sergio Perez
Leclerc almost bangs wheels with Perez - it’s only practice lads!
Leclerc: “What the f***!
Perez: “What’s wrong with the Ferrari?” Engineer: “Let him do his thing, we’ll do our thing.”
FInal few laps now as the sun sets over this iconic circuit.
Top-10: Leclerc, Piastri, Tsunoda, Hamilton, Russell, Sainz, Verstappen, Perez, Hulkenberg, Alonso
Kieran Jackson17 May 2024 16:54
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Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso annoyed with Lewis Hamilton
The Mercedes seemed to be in the way a bit there!
Verstappen not happy on that count, as well as his Red Bull car.
Onto hards/mediums for most of them now, with 15 minutes left.
Kieran Jackson17 May 2024 16:47
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Leclerc remains fastest on softs!
Cheers in the stands from the tifosi - and it’s still not quite happening for Red Bull!
Charles Leclerc goes faster with a 1:15:906, 0.192 secs quicker than McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.
Yuki Tsunoda up in third, with Hamilton and Russell fourth and fifth respectively.
6-10: Sainz, Verstappen, Perez, Hulkenberg, Alonso
Norris down in P12. Times set to tumble still though with half-an-hour left...
Kieran Jackson17 May 2024 16:37
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