McLaren dominates at Imola with a one-two finish in both practices

McLaren had a dream Friday at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, where its drivers set the pace from the start of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. Oscar Piastri was the fastest of the day, leading the British team's 1-2 finish in the second free practice session, confirming the "papaya" team's strong form.

In FP2, Piastri posted a time of 1:15.529 on the soft tire, beating his teammate Lando Norris, the recent winner in Miami, who was just over a tenth behind. McLaren showed strength from the outset, even on the medium compound, when Norris had already topped the timesheets with a time of 1:15.952, leaving Carlos Sainz's Ferrari and Alex Albon's Williams behind.

The day also marked the debut of Argentine Franco Colapinto in an official Formula 1 (F1) weekend . The Williams driver finished thirteenth in the second practice session, eight-tenths off Norris' best time on medium tyres, and just behind the Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton and the Mercedes of Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

The second session was interrupted in its final stretch by a track exit by Isack Hadjar. The Frenchman from Racing Bulls got stuck in the gravel at Turn 5, causing a red flag with five minutes remaining. Although he managed to continue briefly, his car stopped shortly afterward, preventing the drivers from improving their times when the session restarted.

In Practice 1, McLaren had already made a statement with another 1-2 finish led by Piastri. Colapinto finished 17th in that session, finishing less than a second behind the Australian in his first contact with the Alpine A525.

Based on Friday's performance, McLaren is shaping up to be the team to beat at Imola. Both Piastri and Norris look comfortable and fast, suggesting a fierce battle for pole position and victory this weekend in Italy.

This Saturday, the activity in Imola will continue with the third and final free practice sessions. at 4:30 a.m. sharp, while qualifying for Sunday's Grand Prix will start at 8:00 a.m.

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