REPORT | Leclerc fastest in Imola's damp FP1!

The championship leader continues his good form with a 1:29:402, leading his teammate Carlos Sainz by eight tenths, followed by Max Verstappen, six tenths back. The wet circuit posed a difficult challenge for all, as drivers made their efforts to stay safe and gain as much knowledge on the rain-covered circuit.

With rain at 97%, the wet weather was set to stay as a dominant feature throughout the decision. It was announced before the session that the man with a freshly-penned contract, Carlos Sainz, had to take new power unit components for this weekend. Alpine was bringing an upgrade with a new floor on Fernando Alonso’s car.

Valtteri Bottas of Alfa Romeo was first out on the wet tyres, with both Haas cars soon following. Conditions were treacherous with high spray and several twitches for the cars on their sighting laps. 

10 minutes later, most cars came out onto the circuit. With mistakes here and there, the drivers were clearly making an effort to try and be careful around the circuit. Some trips through gravel, grass and sausage kerbs, but nothing to call a premature end to their sessions. Gradually, the grip was built in the tyres and the faster laps started to come through as the drivers slowly found their rhythm. 

Championship leader, Charles Leclerc suffered a spin through Aqua Minerale, clattering the underside of his car with the corner’s sausage kerb. Thankfully, not a session-ending incident for the Monegasque. Many suffered similar incidents throughout the decision, but all were able to get through unscathed. His teammate, Sainz, held the top time for quite a fair amount of the session, with both Scuderia Ferrari cars seeming to be far ahead of the rest of the field for the most part. With five minutes to go, Lando Norris found himself beached in the gravel out of Aqua Minerale but was able to get out, negating the need for the prematurely thrown out red flag.

Join us in two-and-a-half hours for qualifying for the Sprint Race Weekend around the Imola circuit!