Lando Norris displayed impressive speed in the lead-up to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix by posting the fastest time in final practice, setting the stage for a potential pole position. His lap time of 1:14.897 eclipsed Oscar Piastri, his McLaren teammate, by a mere tenth of a second, as both drivers exerted their dominance throughout practice sessions at Imola.
Norris’ performance marked a notable comeback after being outpaced by Piastri on Friday. Meanwhile, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen secured third place, 0.181 seconds behind Norris, although he recorded his best time on the slower medium compound tires. The track conditions at Imola were cooler, which may have played a role in the performance differences seen among the teams.
The new Pirelli C6 tire compound, debuting this weekend, has proven to be challenging for drivers to maintain within the optimal performance range, affecting some lap times. Despite this, Norris and Piastri’s McLaren team showed strong pace and promising tire management, pointing to their competitive edge as the race approaches.
Kimi Antonelli from Mercedes improved late in the session, placing fourth, while Charles Leclerc was the lead Ferrari driver in fifth. Other notable performances include Carlos Sainz in sixth and Alex Albon from Williams in ninth. The atmosphere is charged as teams analyze tire strategy ahead of the qualifying session, scheduled for 3 PM.
As anticipation builds for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, McLaren appears poised to challenge for top positions, potentially setting the stage for an exciting race. With Norris and Piastri both showing strong form, fans can look forward to a thrilling contest in this European season opener. The excitement and competitive spirit of F1 continue to be a source of inspiration and entertainment for motorsport enthusiasts around the world.