BREAKING: Imola Grand Prix Qualifying Thrown into Chaos After

Imola Grand Prix Qualifying Thrown into Chaos After FIA Delays Session Over Q1 Confusion

The 2025 Imola Grand Prix qualifying session descended into confusion and delay on Saturday following an unexpected announcement from FIA officials. The drama unfolded in the aftermath of Q1, as stewards were forced to pause proceedings to resolve a contentious issue involving Ollie Bearman, Gabriel Bortoleto, and a late red flag.

Initially, Haas rookie Ollie Bearman had done enough to progress into Q2, having set a lap time that placed him among the top 15. However, just moments later, his time was deleted due to a red flag brought out by a crash involving Franco Colapinto of Alpine. The red flag threw the timing sequence into disarray, with Bearman’s final lap placed under scrutiny regarding whether it was completed before or after the red flag was shown.

With Bearman’s time invalidated, Gabriel Bortoleto of Sauber was promoted into the top 15, appearing to advance to Q2 at the expense of the young British driver. However, the decision didn’t sit well with some in the paddock, prompting the FIA stewards to review the incident further. Uncertainty surrounding the exact timing of the red flag relative to Bearman’s final sector led to a pause in the qualifying session as officials revisited footage and timing data.

Originally, Formula 1’s governing body had announced that Q2 would begin at 16:46 local time, but this was swiftly postponed as the inquiry continued. With the decision over Bearman’s lap time still unresolved, drivers were left idling in their garages while teams awaited confirmation on the updated Q2 lineup.

The delay not only caused frustration in the pit lane but also added a layer of confusion when Sauber unexpectedly sent Bortoleto out onto the track in preparation for Q2, despite no final confirmation from race control. Meanwhile, Bearman remained in the Haas garage, waiting for clarification on whether he would be reinstated or not. The bizarre situation left fans and teams in the dark, as the FIA worked behind the scenes to determine who had legitimately qualified.

The red flag incident itself stemmed from Colapinto’s crash late in Q1, which brought an abrupt halt to the session. While safety regulations require an immediate end to timed laps once a red flag is deployed, determining the exact moment a car crosses the timing line in relation to the flag can be complex—especially in high-speed circumstances.

This situation highlighted the challenges faced by race stewards when split-second decisions and technology-driven data reviews collide under live broadcast conditions. The FIA’s commitment to fairness and procedure meant that they chose to delay the continuation of qualifying rather than make a hasty call.

Such delays, though rare, are not unprecedented in Formula 1, especially when competitive order and driver safety are involved. However, the optics of teams like Sauber preparing to compete in Q2 while a protest was still under review did little to ease the growing confusion.

As of the latest update, a final decision on Bearman and Bortoleto’s Q2 eligibility was expected shortly after the delayed review. The outcome may have wider implications for how future red flag timing disputes are managed during qualifying sessions.