P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The McLarens ran the show in Friday practice at Imola – but is this a race where it risks an unwelcome 2025 deja vu?
The debut of the Pirelli C6 compound at Imola brought interesting developments on Friday, with concerns initially about its performance compared to the C5. However, the C6 proved to be faster than the medium C5, easing worries about possible tire strategies in qualifying. Despite using the softest tires, the race is shaping up to be relatively conventional, with the C6 likely being a qualifying-only tire but sufficient for that purpose.
While the hard C4 hasn’t been utilized yet, the C5’s long run data suggests a potential one-stop race, despite Pirelli’s attempt to encourage a two-stop strategy. McLaren stands out as a strong contender, with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris showing impressive performance in both single laps and long runs. Norris expressed content with Friday’s progress but remains cautious about the competition from teams like Alpine, Red Bull, and Mercedes.
Race pace projections hint at a different scenario, possibly leaving room for contenders like Verstappen, Russell, or Antonelli to challenge McLaren for pole position. The different approaches between the two McLarens in qualifying and race simulations add complexity to predicting the ultimate race strategy. The dynamic between Piastri and Norris presents an interesting contrast in sector times and overall performance, setting the stage for an intriguing race at Imola.
