Piastri leads McLaren 1-2 in Imola practice sessions

[ad_1] Australia's Oscar Piastri has pipped McLaren teammate Lando Norris in each apply classes on the Emilia-Romagna F1 Grand Prix in Imola, Italy.

Piastri, winner of 4 of the final 5 races, lapped the Imola circuit with a greatest time of 1 minute and 16.545 seconds within the opening session.

He stopped the clock in 1:15.293 within the second session, with Norris — who's 16 factors behind his championship-leading teammate within the standings after six races — 0.032 and 0.025 slower within the respective practices.

"I do not assume it is simply Lando and me," stated Piastri, when requested about his possibilities of profitable in Imola.

Piastri is 'simply making an attempt to win' as he chases Senna's McLaren report Formulation 1 championship chief Oscar Piastri enters this weekend's Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix using a wave of momentum.

"There are just a few others who will be a part of us within the battle tomorrow so we've got bought to maintain our heads down and discover a bit extra.

"Saturday (qualifying) has been crucial just about in every single place this 12 months, and Imola — no matter what the remainder of this 12 months has appeared like — is a spot the place qualifying means so much."

Pierre Gasly was a shock third for Renault-owned Alpine within the second apply session, however 0.276 slower than Piastri.

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, limbering up for his first race in Italy as a Ferrari driver, was fifth and eleventh within the respective classes.

Purple Bull's reigning world champion Max Verstappen was seventh and fifth, with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc ending the day sixth quickest.

"I can not depend on the rear. It looks like I am drifting in every single place," complained Verstappen, final 12 months's winner at Imola, over the radio throughout first apply.

Argentine rookie Franco Colapinto — making his debut for Alpine after changing axed Australian Jack Doohan — lapped seventeenth quickest within the opening apply session.