Breaking: Full Starting Grid Confirmed for F1 2025 Imola Grand Prix After Penalties app…read more
Breaking: Full Starting Grid Confirmed for F1 2025 Imola Grand Prix After Penalties app…read more
Sunday’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola will get underway with a reshuffled grid following a dramatic qualifying session marked by crashes, steward decisions, and surprise performances. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri will start from pole for the first time in his Formula 1 career after a blistering lap of 1:14.670, edging Max Verstappen by just 0.034 seconds.
Front Row Shake-Up
Piastri’s stunning lap saw the Australian outpace the reigning champion in what’s being called a “career-defining” performance. Verstappen, despite the narrow gap, seemed satisfied, admitting he was “right on the limit” in a Red Bull RB21 that looked more vulnerable than usual.
Mercedes Resurgence, McLaren’s Near Miss
George Russell will line up third for Mercedes, beating out Lando Norris in the second McLaren, who struggled with tyre warm-up late in Q3 and had to settle for fourth. Mercedes’ latest floor upgrade appears to be working, giving Russell a more stable platform to attack with confidence.
Midfield Surprises and Ferrari Flops
Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso slots into fifth, ahead of both Williams drivers – Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon – in sixth and seventh respectively, as the Grove-based team continues its 2025 renaissance. Lance Stroll took eighth, with Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar impressing in ninth. Pierre Gasly rounded out the top ten for Alpine.
Ferrari endured a disastrous day at their home race, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton both eliminated in Q2 and starting 11th and 12th. Hamilton called the session “devastating,” pointing toward strategic gambles as their only way forward.
Chaos, Crashes, and Penalties
The session’s biggest incidents involved Franco Colapinto and Yuki Tsunoda. Colapinto crashed in Q1, and while Alpine got his car repaired in time for Q2, an unsafe release penalty drops him to 16th. Tsunoda, who failed to set a time after crashing at Acque Minerali, was granted permission to start from the back of the grid.
Confirmed Starting Grid (with penalties applied)
Pos Driver Team Gap
1 Oscar Piastri McLaren —
2 Max Verstappen Red Bull +0.034 s
3 George Russell Mercedes +0.137 s
4 Lando Norris McLaren +0.292 s
5 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +0.761 s
6 Carlos Sainz Williams +0.762 s
7 Alex Albon Williams +0.803 s
8 Lance Stroll Aston Martin +0.911 s
9 Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls +1.076 s
10 Pierre Gasly Alpine +1.117 s
11 Charles Leclerc Ferrari Q2 exit
12 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari Q2 exit
13 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes Q2 exit
14 Gabriel Bortoleto Sauber Q2 exit
15 Liam Lawson Racing Bulls Q1 exit
16 Franco Colapinto* Alpine Q2 exit
17 Nico Hülkenberg Sauber Q1 exit
18 Esteban Ocon Haas Q1 exit
19 Ollie Bearman Haas Q1 exit
20 Yuki Tsunoda* Red Bull DNQ/start
*Penalties:
Colapinto: 1-place drop for unsafe release.
Tsunoda: Granted start after failing to set a time.
Turn 2 Fireworks: Can Piastri hold off Verstappen into Tamburello?
Ferrari’s Fightback: Expect bold tyre strategy and early pit stops from the Scuderia.
Williams vs Aston Martin: Two midfield teams fighting for supremacy – and possibly a podium if chaos erupts up front.
With overtaking still notoriously tricky around the narrow Imola circuit, pit strategy and a clean start may define who triumphs in Italy. The stage is set for an electrifying 63-lap showdown under the spring sun.
