Positive debut for Ferrari in the 2024 Formula 1 Emilia Romagna GP in Imola with Leclerc being the fastest in the first free practice session aboard the new SF-24 equipped with the upgrade package. Third Sainz behind Russell. The Red Bulls of Perez and Verstappen disappoint.
Positive news for the Ferrari those that come from first free practice session of the 2024 Formula 1 Emilia Romagna GP staged on Imola circuit. There new SF-24 Evo equipped with the highly anticipated substantial package of updates in his official debut in F1 he did well with Charles Leclerc (which also mounted a new power unit for this weekend in Imola) and Carlos Sainz who have distinguished themselves both in terms of qualifying simulation with soft tires and long runs with hard tires and with soft. The sensations that the two drivers felt on board the updated car were also positive given that on the radio they have repeatedly highlighted the excellent balance of the car and the good grip of the tyres.
The Monegasque was in fact the fastest with his 1:16.990 which allowed him to be the only one to go under the 1’17” barrier in these FP1s and to precede his closest pursuers by more than a tenth, namely George Russell with Mercedes and his teammate Carlos Sainz with the other SF-24 Evo. Disappointing start instead for the Red Bulls with Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen who only finished in fourth and fifth place in the time rankings with a gap of two and a half tenths and with the Dutchman having struggled, quite a bit, to keep the car on the track in his fast laps.
The time ranking of free practice 1 of the 2024 F1 Imola GP
- Charles LECLERC Ferrari 1:16.990
- George RUSSELL Mercedes +0.104
- Carlos SAINZ Ferrari +0.130
- Sergio PEREZ Red Bull Racing +0.243
- Max VERSTAPPEN Red Bull Racing +0.250
- Yuki TSUNODA RB +0.398
- Lewis HAMILTON Mercedes +0.418
- Lando NORRIS McLaren +0.612
- Oscar PIASTRI McLaren +0.817
- Fernando ALONSO Aston Martin +0.877
- Pierre GASLY Alpine +0.915
- Lance STROLL Aston Martin +1,082
- Daniel RICCIARDO RB +1.152
- Esteban OCON Alpine +1,622
- Oliver BEARMAN Haas F1 Team +1,677
- Valtteri BOTTAS Kick Sauber +1,837
- Guanyu ZHOU Kick Sauber +2,139
- Logan SARGEANT Williams +2,911
- Alexander ALBON Williams +3,060
- Nico HULKENBERG Haas F1 Team +4.069
