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Piastri pips Norris in perfect Imola practice for McLaren

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Clock Icon14 hoursMotorsport

Oscar Piastri pipped Lando Norris in second practice to complete a perfect Friday for McLaren at the Italian Grand Prix.

Piastri, leading the world championship from Norris by 16 points, headed his team-mate in both sessions, and ended the day 0.025 seconds quicker than the Brit. 

Alpine's Pierre Gasly was a surprise third quickest, ahead of the Mercedes of George Russell, Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.

Leclerc and Ferrari team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who was 11th, both bemoaned brake issues to the point that the Scuderia took the seven-time world champions' brakes apart midway through the session to try and resolve the issue. 

Although Ferrari appeared to be struggling for speed over a single qualifying lap, Leclerc and Hamilton both appeared to be mixing it with the McLarens for pace later in the session.

Elsewhere, Racing Bull's Isack Hadjar spun at the high-speed first chicane and beached his car when trying to re-join the track after nudging the barrier.

Behind Hadjar in the list of fastest times, Yuki Tsunoda was eighth fastest in the second Red Bull, ahead of the Williams of Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz.

Italian teenager Kimi Antonelli was unable to put together a clean flying lap and finished the day in 18th in his first race on home soil.

Franco Colapinto was 13th at the end of his first Friday for Alpine as he starts his five-race deal in place of Jack Doohan.

Piastri, out to become the 16th different driver in Formula One history to win four races in a row, said ahead of the practice that it would be difficult for McLaren to repeat the dominance they showed at the Miami Grand Prix last time out. 

And the Australian continued to stand by his comments, suggesting that McLaren's display on Friday meant nothing ahead of qualifying for Sunday's race. 

The likes of Red Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari had all made significant upgrades to try and close the gap to McLaren, but struggled in Imola on the first day of racing. 

"This wouldn't be the first Friday where we look strong and everyone finds a bit more going into qualifying," said Piastri.

"We still want to find a bit more, but everything has gone pretty smoothly. The car is feeling decent. Still a few more things to tweak, but all in all, not bad.

"Saturdays have been important pretty much everywhere. Imola is a place where qualifying means a lot, but at the moment, I don't think it's just Lando and I.

"I think there are a few others that will join us in the fight, so we have to keep our heads down and try and find a bit more."

McLaren have achieved two one-twos in 2025 (China and Miami), both with Piastri ahead of Norris.

They have the opportunity to have three in a single year in F1 for the first time since 2010 (three), but Norris echoed the comments made by his team-mate. 

Norris added that he is starting to feel more comfortable with the car after his early-season struggles, adding he was happy with his display on Friday.

"I'm sure he [Piastri] is going to find things too. FP2, we always look good, we always look better than everyone, and then we get to qualifying, and they catch up," Norris said.

"I don't think we are in a comfortable place, we still have work to do. Alpine were quick; they have always been quick here.

"I'm sure Red Bull will catch up and Mercedes will be on it just when they turn their engines up. So nothing to be comfortable with. But I think a productive Friday."