Results FP2 Imola | Verstappen only P7, Hamilton and Russell ahead

After a difficult FP1, the second free practice session in Imola also did not go quite as hoped for Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing. Verstappen closed the session in the seventh-fastest time, behind both George Russell and Lewis Hamilton. Charles Leclerc was the fastest man, followed by Oscar Piastri and Yuki Tsunoda.

Initially, both Verstappen and Perez reported that the feeling in the RB20 was much better than in the first free practice, where both drivers struggled with the balance. In FP1, Perez and Verstappen were fourth and fifth respectively. Yet the balance problems returned later in FP2. Verstappen again complained about the feeling in his Formula 1 car and eventually had to settle for seventh place.

Leclerc led the timesheet for much of the session and did not relinquish first place. Surprising performances came from Piastri and Tsunoda in second and third place respectively, but Mercedes was also well off with Lewis Hamilton in P4 and George Russell in P5. Carlos Sainz slightly disappointed with sixth place, as did the Red Bulls on P7 and P8.