Oscar Piastri claimed pole position in a dramatic qualifying session for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola as Lewis Hamilton suffered an early exit in his first home race for Ferrari and Yuki Tsunoda walked away from a major crash.
Piastri delivered a flawless lap when it mattered to beat Max Verstappen's time by just 0.034 seconds, after the Dutchman surged to the top of the charts in pursuit of a third successive pole.
Lando Norris could manage only fourth for McLaren - over three tenths off the pole pace - after being edged out at the last by George Russell, who will start from third for Mercedes.
Hamilton had expressed excitement and expectation ahead of his first home race weekend as a Ferrari driver but his Saturday ended in bitter disappointment after he was knocked out in the second part of qualifying.
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F1 EMILIA ROMAGNA GRAND PRIX - LATEST UPDATES
- The race on Sunday starts at 2pm (BST)
- Oscar Piastri on pole in Imola; Verstappen 2nd; Russell 3rd
- Click HERE for the full starting grid
- Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc in shock Q2 exit
- FEATURE: Welcome to Maranello, Ferrari’s hometown where history weighs heavy on F1’s greatest team
When is the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix?
Saturday 17 May 2025 17:55
,
Kieran Jackson
All times BST
Sunday 18 May
- Race: 2pm
FEATURE: Welcome to Maranello, Ferrari’s hometown where history weighs heavy on F1’s greatest team
13:15
,
Kieran Jackson
Ahead of Ferrari’s home race in Imola, I spent a day in Maranello, the famous prancing horse emblem at every turn, dissecting the prestige of the Italian marque in contrast to the flaws of the present-day F1 team:
Read below:
Lando Norris steps away from social media
13:07
,
Kieran Jackson
“Yeah, I’ve not been on social media for a few weeks now,” Norris said at Imola.
“It’s just not something I enjoy. I don’t need to, it’s my life, I can do what I like.
“I enjoy not going on my phone as much as I used to. I mean, I still use my phone and I am still texting my friends, all these things.
“But I just see social media, from my perspective, more of a waste of my time and energy and I just don’t need that, don’t want it.”
Lewis Hamilton ‘devastated’ after Ferrari qualifying failure at Imola GP
12:59
,
Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton admitted he was “devastated” after suffering another blow in his first season at Ferrari, who suffered a new low in a captivating qualifying session at the Emilia Romagna GP.
Hamilton, who admitted this week he wasn’t expecting his first season at Ferrari to be so “tough”, and teammate Charles Leclerc missed the opportunity to fight for pole in Imola, with both drivers knocked out of contention in Q2.
The pair will start alongside each other on the grid for Sunday’s race, with Leclerc a place ahead in 11th and Hamilton in 12th.
Full report below:
WATCH: Kimi Antonelli's reaction to Lewis Hamilton's message in Mercedes motorhome
12:52
,
Kieran Jackson
When leaving Mercedes last season, Hamilton left a handwritten note for his replacement in the Mercedes motorhome.
At the first European race of the season, the 18-year-old read the private note for the first time!
Here's the state of play in the constructors' championship!
12:45
,
Kieran Jackson
1. McLaren - 246 points
2. Mercedes - 141 points
3. Red Bull - 105 points
4. Ferrari - 94 points
5. Williams - 37 points
6. Haas - 20 points
7. Aston Martin - 14 points
8. Racing Bulls - 8 points
9. Alpine - 7 points
10. Sauber - 6 points
Comment: Kimi Antonelli’s F1 ascension appears a masterstroke – have Mercedes found their answer to Max Verstappen?
12:23
,
Kieran Jackson
Antonelli has already broken records: the youngest driver to score points, after a sumptuous recovery drive from 16th to fourth in the rain in the season opener in Melbourne. And after his surprise pole position for the sprint race at the last round in Miami, he became the youngest driver to record a pole position in any F1 format. At 21, Sebastian Vettel, the previous record holder, was three years older.
Released with exquisite timing, one day after the Miami Grand Prix, Antonelli’s ascension to F1 has been chronicled in a new 45-minute documentary on Netflix, titled The Seat.
Piece:
What is the starting grid?
12:15
,
Kieran Jackson
2. Max Verstappen
3. George Russell
5. Fernando Alonso
6. Carlos Sainz
7. Alex Albon
8. Lance Stroll
9. Isack Hadjar
10. Pierre Gasly
11. Charles Leclerc
12. Lewis Hamilton
13. Kimi Antonelli
14. Gabriel Bortoleto
15. Liam Lawson
16. Franco Colapinto*
17. Nico Hulkenberg
18. Esteban Ocon
19. Ollie Bearman
Pit lane. Yuki Tsunoda
*Franco Colapinto received a one-place grid penalty for an infringement in qualifying
Lewis Hamilton ‘devastated’ after Ferrari qualifying failure at Imola GP
12:00
,
Mike Jones
Lewis Hamilton was “devastated” after suffering another blow in his first season at Ferrari during a captivating qualifying session at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix on Saturday.
Hamilton, who admitted this week he wasn’t expecting his first season at Ferrari to be so “tough”, and teammate Charles Leclerc missed the opportunity to fight for pole in Imola, with both drivers knocked out of contention in Q2.
The pair will start alongside each other on the grid for Sunday’s race, with Leclerc a place ahead in 11th and Hamilton in 12th.
NEW: Yuki Tsunoda starts in pit-lane
11:30
,
Kieran Jackson
Inevitably, the Red Bull driver will start in the pits after his massive crash yesterday, with his car needing a massive rebuild job overnight.
A new chassis and new engine for Tsunoda.
Lewis Hamilton after qualifying 12th:
11:01
,
Mike Jones
“Tough one, tough one,” said Hamilton, who has only managed one top-five finish in the first six races of the season.
“Ultimately, I feel super gutted, devastated, that we weren’t able to get through. I really feel we’ve made many positive steps over the weekend.
“When we put the new tyres on, we didn’t have any more grip, couldn’t go any faster, everyone else managed to switch on the tyres.
“To be in front of the Italian fans, first time for Ferrari, to not manage to get to Q3 is bittersweet.”
Lando Norris admits he's making too many mistakes
10:02
,
Mike Jones
After finishing P4 in qualifying, Norris said: "I made a lot of mistakes, it is just never good enough in my final lap in qualifying.
"Everyone always goes quicker, and I go slower, so it is just not good enough. [There is nothing wrong] with the car, it is on pole and the best car on track.
"I am not just going to blame the car, it is on me. I've felt good all weekend, I felt good in Q1 and Q2, and I felt like there was lap time available.
"But when I try to go for the lap time, it just doesn't go. A lot of things have changed from last year, and in my whole career, qualifying has been my biggest strength by a long way.
"But this year, it is just not coming my way, and I think we understand the reasons why, but of course, I am not going to be the happiest about it, because I want to be fighting for pole, and things are not going the way they should.”
Haas ask for clarification on Bearman's lap time deletion
09:51
,
Mike Jones
Haas have enquired with the FIA about their decision regarding Ollie Bearman’s final Q1 lap.
They hope for written clarification from race control over his lap time which was controversially deleted following a red flag after Franco Colapinto crashed.
Haas said: “After discussions last night with the FIA, we have subsequently asked for further written clarification on the decision making concerning Ollie Bearman’s final Q1 lap in order for us to review more comprehensively.
“We similarly asked what measures the FIA / Race Control can put in place moving forward to ensure that this situation is avoided in the future to the benefit of F1. Upon review we will be more informed to comment.”
Yuki Tsunoda taken to F1 medical centre after car flips upside-down in huge crash at Imola GP qualifying
09:03
,
Kieran Jackson
Yuki Tsunoda has been taken to the Imola circuit’s medical centre after suffering a massive crash at the start of qualifying at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
The Japanese driver, at the start of his first flying lap in Q1, lost control of his car heading into the turn 5-6 chicane.
Tsunoda’s Red Bull car spun violently into the gravel before flipping into the catch fencing and barrier.
The 25-year-old walked away from the scene of the crash, but was taken to the medical centre for checks.
Max Verstappen after qualifying P2:
06:01
,
Kieran Jackson
“The softest compound is difficult to keep them alive, tiny margins. George set his lap on a medium. Maybe they’re a bit too soft for this track.
“I felt happier on the mediums, the race is tomorrow and that’s where we score the points, I do think today was very good for us.
“I hope we pick up a bit of pace.”
FULL STARTING GRID:
05:01
,
Kieran Jackson
2. Max Verstappen
3. George Russell
5. Fernando Alonso
6. Carlos Sainz
7. Alex Albon
8. Lance Stroll
9. Isack Hadjar
10. Pierre Gasly
11. Charles Leclerc
12. Lewis Hamilton
13. Kimi Antonelli
14. Gabriel Bortoleto
15. Liam Lawson
16. Franco Colapinto*
17. Nico Hulkenberg
18. Esteban Ocon
19. Ollie Bearman
20. Yuki Tsunoda
*Franco Colapinto received a one-place grid penalty for an infringement in qualifying
Max Verstappen responds to Christian Horner 'sack' rumours
04:01
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Kieran Jackson
“Honestly, I have no idea where they come from, to be honest,” the Dutchman told F1 TV on Thursday.
“Naturally, I don’t really follow a lot of that all.
“So people ask me questions as well about that and I’m like, ‘honestly, I really don’t know who even puts that in the world’.”
Lando Norris not worried about championship standings despite early deficit
02:02
,
Kieran Jackson
Asked if he was thinking about the title standings, Norris said: “No, is the answer. I don’t care about it and won’t think about it. It is easy for things to change.
“Also Red Bull are not far behind, Mercedes are not far behind so they are doing a good job. But we (McLaren) are doing a better job.
“Every race is important and yes we know they have upgrades and they talk a lot but at the end of the day we need to just do a good job on Sunday.
“If we keep focusing on ourselves then we will be fine.”
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff absent from Imola GP for touching personal reason
01:02
,
Kieran Jackson
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff will be absent from the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix due to his son graduating from college this weekend.
Wolff’s 23-year-old eldest son Benedict, one of his children from his previous marriage, is graduating from the University of Southern California and the Austrian executive has decided to stay in the United States.
Mercedes team representative Bradley Lord, Wolff’s long-term right-hand man, will take on the Austrian’s duties in the garage and with the press.
Lewis Hamilton in honest self-reflection in media day on Thursday:
Sunday 18 May 2025 00:02
,
Kieran Jackson
One top-five finish, seventh in the championship - it’s not been the start to the season desired for Lewis Hamilton.
"I anticipated it would be very tough, because I've joined a team before,” Hamilton said, referencing his move from McLaren to Mercedes in 2013, in his session with the written press at Imola on Thursday.
"I came in with a really open mind. I didn't know how tough it was going to be. I knew it was going to be challenging.
“It's as challenging as it could ever be. On all fronts."
George Russell after qualifying P3:
Saturday 17 May 2025 22:59
,
Kieran Jackson
“We were going for it, we thought the medium tyre would be a fast one - a good choice. A small compromise for tomorrow but worth it to be in the top-three.
“It was very challenging, really happy with P3 - couldn’t have achieved much more today. We want to get back on the podium tomorrow.”
Max Verstappen's reaction when seeing Yuki Tsunoda's crash:
Saturday 17 May 2025 22:01
,
Kieran Jackson
Verstappen: “Jesus, is he really OK?”
Charles Leclerc after qualifying P11:
Saturday 17 May 2025 21:02
,
Kieran Jackson
“You can always do a bit more with a lap, but we are just nowhere at the moment,” Leclerc said.
“There’s not enough performance in the car, I keep repeating myself. We need to be better.
“Very hard [for the race], I can fight as much as I want but I cannot do miracles. This is what there is in the car, I’m trying to extract the maximum out of it.”
Lando Norris admits he's making too many mistakes
Saturday 17 May 2025 20:01
,
Kieran Jackson
After finishing P4 in qualifying, Norris said: "I made a lot of mistakes, it is just never good enough in my final lap in qualifying," Norris said.
"Everyone always goes quicker, and I go slower, so it is just not good enough. [There is nothing wrong] with the car, it is on pole and the best car on track.
"I am not just going to blame the car, it is on me. I've felt good all weekend, I felt good in Q1 and Q2, and I felt like there was lap time available.
"But when I try to go for the lap time, it just doesn't go. A lot of things have changed from last year, and in my whole career, qualifying has been my biggest strength by a long way.
"But this year, it is just not coming my way, and I think we understand the reasons why, but of course, I am not going to be the happiest about it, because I want to be fighting for pole, and things are not going the way they should.”
FULL STARTING GRID:
Saturday 17 May 2025 18:59
,
Kieran Jackson
2. Max Verstappen
3. George Russell
5. Fernando Alonso
6. Carlos Sainz
7. Alex Albon
8. Lance Stroll
9. Isack Hadjar
10. Pierre Gasly
11. Charles Leclerc
12. Lewis Hamilton
13. Kimi Antonelli
14. Gabriel Bortoleto
15. Liam Lawson
16. Franco Colapinto*
17. Nico Hulkenberg
18. Esteban Ocon
19. Ollie Bearman
20. Yuki Tsunoda
*Franco Colapinto received a one-place grid penalty for an infringement in qualifying
NEW: Franco Colapinto penalised!
Saturday 17 May 2025 18:06
,
Kieran Jackson
Prior to his crash, we thought Colapinto entered the fast lane too early - and we were right!
A one-place grid drop - Colapinto will start 16th on the grid on Sunday.
Liam Lawson is promoted to 15th.
Lewis Hamilton after qualifying 12th:
Saturday 17 May 2025 17:45
“Tough one, tough one,” said Hamilton, who has only managed one top-five finish in the first six races of the season.
“Ultimately, I feel super gutted, devastated, that we weren’t able to get through. I really feel we’ve made many positive steps over the weekend.
“When we put the new tyres on, we didn’t have any more grip, couldn’t go any faster, everyone else managed to switch on the tyres.
“To be in front of the Italian fans, first time for Ferrari, to not manage to get to Q3 is bittersweet.”
Oscar Piastri after taking pole:
Saturday 17 May 2025 17:20
,
Kieran Jackson
“A very tough session with all the delays and red flags, and the tyres.
“We got into a nice place for qualifying, I had about four cars in the last corner!”
TOP-10 FOR THE EMILIA ROMAGNA GP
Saturday 17 May 2025 16:55
,
Kieran Jackson
1. Oscar Piastri
2. Max Verstappen
3. George Russell
4. Lando Norris
5. Fernando Alonso
6. Carlos Sainz
7. Alex Albon
8. Lance Stroll
9. Isack Hadjar
10. Pierre Gasly