F1 | FP3 | Imola GP | Norris leads another McLaren 1-2 - Motorsport

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FP3 at the F1 Imola GP was another session dominated by McLaren at the top with Lando Norris leading the 1-2, full report and results below.

Teams faced an unknown this weekend as Pirelli introduced the new soft C6 tyre compound. Although they had the option to use it during pre-season testing, this marked the first time teams ran the compound over a race weekend. Unsurprisingly, both FP1 and FP2 sessions saw McLaren lock out the top two. However, Pierre Gasly in his Alpine impressed with promising pace, finishing in the top ten in both sessions.

As the last hour of practice ticked down, Norris was the first to leave the pits for a tyre-prep lap and pitted immediately after.

GREEN 🟢 LIGHT

Lando Norris heads out on track as FP3 gets under way #F1 #ImolaGP pic.twitter.com/CL3auer0ex
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 17, 2025

A quiet start to FP3

Unlike Friday’s practice sessions, FP3 began calmly, with many drivers staying in their garages to focus on discussions with their teams. On a quiet track, Lewis Hamilton left the pits on a set of medium tyres to set off on the first lap of the session—setting the benchmark with a 1:16.983. Shortly after, both Sauber’s joined the seven-time world champion on track.

Cameras captured a busy McLaren garage as mechanics worked on Norris’ car, dismantling his rear wing and refitting the one he used the day before. Meanwhile, Gasly was next to the top, but it did not take long before Hamilton reclaimed his place at the top with a 1:15.866.

After a struggling yesterday, Bearman’s first lap of the session popped him into P2 just three tenths behind the seven-time World Champion. As more drivers started to head out, Max Verstappen was next to catapult to the top with a 1:15.579. Both McLarens headed out on track and were seemingly on the pace again. At the time, Norris was the leading McLaren in P2 whilst Oscar Piastri followed closely behind in P3.

Hadjar finds some momentum after FP2 crash

After finding the gravel trap late into FP2 yesterday, Isack Hadjar was next to claim his spot at the top with a 1:15.508 on a set of medium tyres. With just over half way to go, majority of drivers were still running on a set of mediums. Verstappen’s next lap put some distance out in front as he went fastest with a 1:15.130—just several tenths off from his pole lap time last year. Meanwhile, Mercedes and Russell continued to struggle with the ride height of their car as the Briton was still unhappy with the drivability of his car.

Yellow flags for spinning Lawson

Replay showed Liam Lawson spinning out of the first chicane at Turn 3 but managed to keep it out of the barriers—reminiscent of Hadjar’s moment yesterday and flat-spotting his tyres dearly.

On board with Verstappen, the reigning World Champion looked to be struggling to get ahold of his car.

Lawson avoided the barriers and managed and to carry on#F1 #ImolaGP pic.twitter.com/zJDYzapq9e
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 17, 2025

After a decent Friday, both Williams looked to have pace in their pocket with more to unlock. Carlos Sainz slotted his Williams in P3—three tenths behind Norris.

Meanwhile at the end of the pitlane, replay showed Hadjar stopped at the end of the pit lane as he awaited to carry out his practice start almost colliding with Sainz who was headed down the pitlane.

Focus shifts to Qualifying runs

Having topped both FP1 and FP2 yesterday, it was a quiet session from Piastri. After setting off on his first lap on a soft tyre, the Australian quickly backed out of his lap after dipping left-rear into the gravel trap. Norris’ run on softs was first in the session to head into the 14s—going to the top with a 1:14.897. On the other side of the Mercedes garage, home-hero Kimi Antonelli put in his first promising time of the weekend as he slotted himself into P4, just five tenths behind Norris.

Last 10 minutes of the session

As each lap passed, drivers struggled to improve lap after lap. Replay showed Norris was the next victim of the gravel traps after he struggled to turn into the first chicane. With five minutes to go, Piastri was next across the line—still a tenth to find from Norris at the top. It did not take long before Hamilton and Hadjar were next to dip their tyres into the gravel trap at the penultimate corner. Many laps were down from their personal bests. At its peak, lap times from both soft and medium tyres appeared to be similar, something teams might need to take into consideration heading into Qualifying.