Ferrari starts well. In the first free practice session of the Emilia Romagna GP, Charles Leclerc in 1’16″990 preceded the Mercedes of George Russell and the second red of Carlos Sainz junior by just over a tenth. Fourth time for the first of the two Reds. Bull, that of Sergio Perez, ahead of world champion Max Verstappen, 250 thousandths behind Leclerc and responsible for some off-track runs. Sixth time for Yuki Tsunoda’s Racing Bulls, seventh time for Lewis Hamilton ahead of Lando Norris’ McLarens and Oscar Piastri. Tenth Fernando Alonso with Aston Martin.
first impressions
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The very first impression is that the news on Ferrari immediately gave a good start to the SF-24. Leclerc, who fitted a new power unit as a precaution, and Sainz set the times with relative ease as soon as they started pushing and this is certainly a good sign that will need to be verified in the rest of the weekend, starting with the second free practice in program at 5pm. The impression was even more evident in the comparison with Red Bull which saw Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen in fourth and fifth position, less brilliant than usual.
max. errors
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In particular, Verstappen suffered precisely when he put on the softer compound tires and tried to accelerate to make the time. The Dutchman was the author of a long run and an exit into the gravel coming out of the corner which certainly surprised a bit. Even at Red Bull there is obviously work to be done. And like Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton also didn’t shine, with the seventh fastest time he spun off the track on the small climb after the Acque Minerali. For now, McLaren is eighth and ninth, with Miami winner Lando Norris ahead of Oscar Piastri. Tenth Fernando Alonso with Aston Martin.
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Bearman again
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Also seen again in these free practices 1 was Oliver Bearman, protagonist with Ferrari in Jeddah in the second race of the World Championship, when he replaced Carlos Sainz, who had emergency surgery for appendicitis: for the Englishman, who lapped with Haas, in place by Magnussen, 15th time.
