Max fifth after Friday practice at Imola: 'We have a lot of work to do.'

Published on 16 May 2025 by Stefan Meens

After clocking the seventh fastest time in the first practice session of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, Max Verstappen was fifth quickest in FP2. Oscar Piastri was quickest ahead of McLaren teammate Lando Norris. The Alpine of Pierre Gasly completed the top three.

“We tried a lot of new things”, said the Oracle Red Bull Racing driver after Friday practice. “Some things worked better than others, but in general we’re not quick enough.”

Looking ahead to Saturday’s qualifying, the reigning champion said: “Our expectations aren’t high. We really have a lot of work to do. The balance has to be better to go faster, and it’s the same for the long runs. I was overtaken by the McLarens and they just drove off, which says it all.”

At the start of FP2, the weather and track conditions are as pleasant as they were in the morning with an ambient temperature of 19 degrees Celsius, as the two Haas are the first two cars to trundle down pitlane.

Ten minutes into the session, all drivers have a time on the leaderboards. Surprisingly, the Williams' of Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz lead the way, with Max back in eighth.

Soon after, the softest Pirelli compound is bolted on for qualifying simulations. George Russell is the first to clock a fast lap on the sticky red side-walled tyre. Max and Red Bull team mate Yuki Tsunoda slot in behind the Mercedes on their flying laps, before Piastri and Norris launch their papaya liveried McLarens to the very front. Gasly surprises with the third best time around the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari.

In the remaining third of the session, all the teams shift their focus onto long runs in preparation for Sunday’s Grand Prix, with Max joining in on the medium Pirellis.

“Something keeps touching my foot when braking in turn two”, Max reports to the team, before a red flag interrupts the end of the session. Isack Hadjar has gone off at high speed at turn four and has ended in the tyre barriers. The Frenchman attempts to drive his RB back to the pits but gets stuck in the gravel traps.

Although the track is cleared with two minutes left on the clock, it leaves the drivers no time to start another timed lap, meaning the session fizzles out with the McLarens setting the pace.

Contest Imola GP: win a by Max Verstappen signed Red Bull Racing 2025 cap!

Results second free practice Emilia-romagna: