Source : ABC NEWS
Australia’s Oscar Piastri has pipped McLaren teammate Lando Norris in both practice sessions at the Emilia-Romagna F1 Grand Prix in Imola, Italy.
Piastri, winner of four of the last five races, lapped the Imola circuit with a best time of 1 minute and 16.545 seconds in the opening session.
He stopped the clock in 1:15.293 in the second session, with Norris — who is 16 points behind his championship-leading teammate in the standings after six races — 0.032 and 0.025 slower in the respective practices.
“I don’t think it’s just Lando and me,” said Piastri, when asked about his chances of winning in Imola.
“There are a few others who will join us in the fight tomorrow so we have got to keep our heads down and find a bit more.
“Saturday (qualifying) has been very important pretty much everywhere this year, and Imola — regardless of what the rest of this year has looked like — is a place where qualifying means a lot.”
Pierre Gasly was a surprise third for Renault-owned Alpine in the second practice session, but 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 11th in the respective sessions.
Red Bull’s reigning world champion Max Verstappen was seventh and fifth, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc ending the day sixth fastest.
“I can’t rely on the rear. It feels like I’m drifting everywhere,” complained Verstappen, last year’s winner at Imola, over the radio during first practice.
Argentine rookie Franco Colapinto — making his debut for Alpine after replacing axed Australian Jack Doohan — lapped 17th fastest in the opening practice session.
But he stayed out of trouble to 13th by the end of the afternoon.
Reuters/AAP
