Oscar Piastri claimed pole position for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in a thrilling qualifying session at the Imola circuit on Saturday, May 18, 2025. The McLaren driver posted a best lap time of 1:14.670, narrowly beating Red Bull’s Max Verstappen by just 0.034 seconds. George Russell of Mercedes took third, while Lando Norris secured fourth for McLaren. Fernando Alonso completed the top five in his Aston Martin.
The session was interrupted twice by serious crashes involving Yuki Tsunoda and Franco Colapinto. Tsunoda lost control at the Villeneuve chicane after taking too much of the kerb. His car flipped over the tyre barrier and landed upright. Thankfully, he was unharmed. Colapinto, making his Formula One debut with Alpine, lost the rear of his car at the fast Tamburello corner and crashed into the barriers. He too escaped without injuries but was visibly disappointed.
The Imola circuit remains one of the most emotional venues in Formula One. This weekend, fans continued to honor the memory of Ayrton Senna, who died at the same track in 1994. His memorial attracted large crowds throughout the day, serving as a reminder of the dangers that still exist in modern racing.
It was a difficult day for Ferrari at their home race. Both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were knocked out in Q2, ending up in 11th and 12th place. Small errors on their final laps kept them from reaching the final qualifying round. The Ferrari fans, also known as the tifosi, were left shocked and disappointed by the result.
Franco Colapinto managed to reach Q2 before his crash but was handed a one-place grid penalty for a pit lane rules violation. As a result, he will start 16th. Yuki Tsunoda failed to set a time and will start from the back of the grid.
The final top ten on the starting grid is led by Oscar Piastri, followed by Max Verstappen in second and George Russell in third. Lando Norris will start fourth and Fernando Alonso fifth. Carlos Sainz is sixth for Ferrari, ahead of Alex Albon in seventh for Williams. Lance Stroll will begin the race from eighth, with Isack Hadjar and Pierre Gasly taking ninth and tenth for Racing Bulls.
Several other drivers made an impression during qualifying. Kimi Antonelli qualified 13th for Mercedes, while Gabriel Bortoleto placed 14th for Sauber. Behind the penalized Colapinto in 16th, Liam Lawson will start 16th, followed by Nico Hülkenberg in 17th and Esteban Ocon in 18th. Oliver Bearman finished 19th, though his lap time is still under FIA review.
McLaren’s strong performance gives them a major boost heading into Sunday’s race. Piastri starting from pole alongside Norris in fourth puts the team in a strong position to challenge both Red Bull and Mercedes. With Verstappen starting just behind him, Piastri will need a clean getaway and solid race pace to convert pole into victory.
The Imola circuit is known for its narrow layout and limited overtaking opportunities. Tire strategy and pit stop timing could play a big role. Safety will also remain a major topic after Saturday’s crashes. While no injuries occurred, the risks remain real.
As the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix approaches, fans can expect another exciting and emotional race. The tension is high, the grid is competitive, and the fight for the win is wide open on one of Formula One’s most iconic tracks.
