F1 2025 Imola Grand Prix starting grid with penalties ...

F1 2025 Imola Grand Prix starting grid with penalties …read more

The starting grid for the 2025 Formula 1 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola has been officially set, following the conclusion of Saturday’s dramatic qualifying session and the application of any grid penalties. The seventh round of this season’s championship promises a thrilling contest, with Oscar Piastri taking a sensational pole position—his first in Formula 1.

The young Australian McLaren driver stunned the paddock by putting together an outstanding lap on Saturday, outpacing the dominant Red Bull of Max Verstappen. Piastri’s performance marked a major personal milestone and a significant achievement for McLaren, who have continued to close the gap to the leading teams this season. As a result, Piastri will lead the pack from the front row when the lights go out at Imola.

Starting alongside him in second place is Max Verstappen, the reigning world champion and title favorite. Verstappen came close to securing yet another pole, but Piastri’s pace proved just too much to overcome in the final moments of Q3. Despite missing out on the top spot, the Dutch driver remains a formidable presence and is expected to mount a serious challenge during the race, especially given his track record of race-day excellence.

Mercedes’ George Russell also delivered an impressive qualifying performance. He managed to outqualify Lando Norris to claim third place on the grid. Russell looked comfortable in the W15 throughout the weekend and will be aiming to capitalize on his strong starting position to earn valuable points for Mercedes, who are locked in a tight battle with Ferrari for third in the Constructors’ Championship.

Meanwhile, Lando Norris, fresh off his first-ever Grand Prix win in Miami, had hoped to secure a front-row start to continue his momentum. However, he had to settle for fourth after being narrowly edged out by Russell. Despite this, Norris remains in a strong position to contend for the podium, especially with McLaren’s improved race pace and overall car performance in recent rounds.

Behind the top four, Ferrari fans had hoped for a stronger showing at their home race. Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz will start from fifth and sixth respectively, with both drivers expressing mild disappointment after qualifying. The Scuderia’s pace was not quite enough to challenge for pole, but with the passionate Tifosi behind them and no grid penalties affecting their positions, both Leclerc and Sainz are still well-placed to put pressure on the leaders.

Sergio Perez endured another underwhelming qualifying session for Red Bull, placing only seventh. The Mexican driver has struggled to match Verstappen’s performance over one lap, and this latest result adds to the mounting pressure on him to deliver consistent results. Starting from the fourth row, Perez will need a strong race strategy to move up the order.

Further down the grid, the Aston Martin duo of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll will start in eighth and tenth respectively, with RB’s Yuki Tsunoda impressively splitting them in ninth after a standout lap in Q3. Tsunoda has been quietly putting together strong performances this season and once again showed his ability to maximize the car’s potential.

Notably, there were some grid penalties that influenced the final starting order. Several drivers, including Esteban Ocon and Nico Hülkenberg, received minor drops for impeding and power unit changes. These penalties shuffled the bottom half of the grid but did not affect the front-runners.

With the grid now finalized, all eyes turn to Sunday’s race at the historic Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari. The tight and technical layout of Imola, combined with the threat of unpredictable weather, means strategy and driver skill will play pivotal roles. Fans can expect wheel-to-wheel action as Piastri aims to convert his maiden pole into a dream victory, while Verstappen and others look to spoil the party.