F1 Today | Ferrari fastest on Friday as Red Bull falter in Imola

Fantastic Ferrari performs in front of the Tifosi

It was reported earlier by GPblog that Ferrari and McLaren both had their tails up regarding their chances this weekend around Imola, hoping to catch Red Bull out. Ferrari, especially, came to their first home race of the 2024 season with new updates to their car, as well as Red Bull. However, it looked like only one team had had updates to their car for the weekend, and it was not the Austrians.

Ferrari, hopeful that their non-track-specific updates can improve their car for the rest of 2024, started the weekend in the best way possible way. Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz were able to impress the Tifosi with a P1 and P3, giving them and Fred Vasseur something to be very optimistic about, That continued on into FP2, with Leclerc once again finding the pace with the new updates to send his Ferrari to the top of the timing charts. Sainz could only manage P6, but a clean sweep on Friday for Leclerc and Ferrari has put them favourite to take pole position in qualifying on Saturday afternoon. 

Red Bull reeling from Miami mare

2024 has not been full of glory compared to the 2023 season a year ago. Records were broken left, right and centre for Verstappen and Red Bull, which helped the Dutchman secure his third title in as many years. 2024 looked to be more of the same after he raced to victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix. However, retirement at the Australian Grand Prix and then a loss on merit to the brilliant Lando Norris and McLaren in Miami have punched Red Bull in the mouth. And now, instead of bouncing back how many thought they would, they have done the opposite and have been caught on the back foot.

It started with a poor performance in FP1 for both Sergio Perez and Verstappen, who could only set the fourth and fifth fastest times, respectively. Both drivers struggled with their consistency and grip, and Verstappen found the gravel trap a couple of times as he pushed his RB20 to the limit. He did the same in FP2, a session where he was audibly more and more frustrated with the lack of pace over the team radio. The Dutchman and Perez could only come P7 and P8 as the chequered flag fell for FP2, sitting behind the Ferraris, Mercedes, and Oscar Piastri too. Quite a shock to what most expected coming into this weekend.

McLaren and Mercedes ready to challenge

After those results from FP2, it has left the door wide open for McLaren and Mercedes to challenge Red Bull this weekend at Imola. George Russell seemed confident about Mercedes' chances after he placed his W15 in P2 after FP1, and that pace continued in FP2 as well, as both Russell and Lewis Hamilton were able to outpace the Red Bulls. The German team also came with new updates to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, with technical director James Allison saying there was reason to be cautiously optimistic about the new components on the Mercedes car. Will that give them the chance to challenge for their first race win since 2022?

McLaren will also be another team that will hope to cash in on Red Bull's poor showing from Friday at Imola. They know that the newly updated papaya-coloured car can challenge and exceed the RB20, as shown by Norris' superb win at the Miami Grand Prix. Although Norris was not on the pace today, his teammate showed that there is still plenty of opportunity for the rest of the weekend. Piastri finished up FP2 in second place with a fantastic lap on the soft tyres, highlighting the challenge that McLaren can also bring to the weekend, setting up an enthralling couple of days in the Italian countryside.