London24NEWS

Formula 1 – Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix race LIVE: lap-by-lap updates

 

Side-by-side action

Side-by-side are Stroll and Ocon up the hill and it’s the Alpine driver who wins out.

Everyone at the front giving each other room and the winner of the start is Lewis Hamilton who is seventh behind his team-mate and ahead of Nico Hulkenberg, Yuki Tsunoda and Sergio Perez.

Lights out and away we go!

Even start from the front two but Verstappen has the inside line to keep the lead from Norris and the two Ferrari drivers.

Formation lap underway

Everyone starts on the medium tyres except for Sergio Perez on the hards, with Pierre Gasly and Fernando Alonso on the softs.

Expect a one-stop strategy from drivers in today’s race.

Red smoke is pouring out from the grandstands from the Tifosi who are hoping for a Ferrari win.

Can McLaren go back-to-back?

The last time McLaren won consecutive races was 12 years ago when Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button took victories in the United States and Brazil.

Max Verstappen meanwhile has not lost back-to-back races since the Britsh and Austrian Grand Prix in 2022 – won by Ferrari pair Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc.

Who to keep an eye out for in the mid-field?

Watch out for Yuki Tsunoda in his RB – one of the stars of qualifying yesterday to split up the two Mercedes.

Also Nico Hulkenberg has been flying in his Haas and expect a fierce battle with him and Daniel Ricciardo in the second RB at the start with the pair starting 9th and 10th.

IMOLA, ITALY - MAY 19: Yuki Tsunoda of Japan and Visa Cash App RB looks on from the drivers parade prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Emilia-Romagna at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari Circuit on May 19, 2024 in Imola, Italy. (Photo by Bryn Lennon - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)

Brown: Both McLarens can win

McLaren team prinicipal Zak Brown has told Sky Sports;

I think the top five cars can win today. Fortunately we’ve got two in the top five.

We put Oscar at a bit of a disadvantage by getting the strategy bit wrong, which is unfortunate, but I think we have two fast race cars surrounded by three or four other fast race cars, so I think we’re going to see a great race today.’

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 05: McLaren Chief Executive Officer Zak Brown celebrates after the F1 Grand Prix of Miami at Miami International Autodrome on May 05, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)

Alonso prepared for ‘learning session’

Fernando Alonso is 19th on the grid and he has told Sky Sports that he expects today to be a ‘learning session’ and ‘doesn’t expect to get any points’.

The Imola circuit is notoriously difficult to overtake on so he might just have a point.

Alonso will be starting from the pit-lane after making some changes overnight under parc-ferme conditions. Might as well if you’re starting on the last row!

No doubt over who the crowd are cheering for!

IMOLA, ITALY - MAY 19: Ferrari fans wave flags to show their support prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Emilia-Romagna at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari Circuit on May 19, 2024 in Imola, Italy. (Photo by Peter Fox - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
IMOLA, ITALY - MAY 19: A general view of the drivers parade prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Emilia-Romagna at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari Circuit on May 19, 2024 in Imola, Italy. (Photo by Peter Fox - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)

Less than 20 minutes to go until lights out

Current drivers’ standings

Max Verstappen extended his lead at the top of the standings in Miami, despite losing out to Lando Norris.

He holds a 33 point lead over team-mate Sergio Perez, with 20 points covering the Mexican, Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz.

  1. Max Verstappen – 136
  2. Sergio Perez – 103
  3. Charles Leclerc – 98
  4. Lando Norris – 83
  5. Carlos Sainz – 83
  6. Oscar Piastri – 41
  7. George Russell – 37
  8. Fernando Alonso – 33
  9. Lewis Hamilton – 27
  10. Yuki Tsunoda – 14
Red Bull Racing's Dutch driver Max Verstappen hydrates himself as he speaks with his team members in the pits ahead of the Emilia Romagna Formula One Grand Prix at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari race track in Imola on May 19, 2024. (Photo by ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / AFP) (Photo by ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP via Getty Images)
Ferrari's Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc prepares for the race in the pits ahead of the Emilia Romagna Formula One Grand Prix at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari race track in Imola on May 19, 2024. (Photo by ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / AFP) (Photo by ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP via Getty Images)

Vettel enjoyed himself in Senna’s McLaren

Sebastian Vettel took Ayrton Senna’s old McLaren for a spin quite literally!

Hamilton receives warm welcome in front of the Tifosi

Lewis Hamilton received a warm reaction from the Italian crowd – something he can definitely expect when he makes the switch to Ferrari in 2025.

The Tifosi – a term used to describe Ferrari’s passionate fans – are excited to see the seven-time champion wear Red next season.

Hamilton on his tour around the track before today’s race said;

I need to improve my Italian, but I’m very excited! The tifosi have supported me for a long time, but now I definitely feel their energy more. It will be a dream to be here next year.’

Formula One F1 - Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy - May 19, 2024 McLaren's Lando Norris and Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton during the drivers parade before the race REUTERS/Massimo Pinca

Norris: We can bring the fight

Lando Norris has told Sky Sports;

We’ve continued the good run of form, good pace, good qualifying, and today we need to prove that we’ve got good race pace.

We had a fairly strong indication on Friday that the pace was very good, so I’m excited, I would love if it could cool down just a little bit, that would play into our hands a touch more, but things are looking good and we are in a good position. I think we can bring the fight to Max ahead.’

IMOLA, ITALY - MAY 19: Lando Norris of McLaren signs a T-shirt of a fan as he arrives in Paddock zone ahead of the Formula1 Race day of the Emilia Romagna Formula One Grand Prix at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari Race Track in Imola, Italy, on May 19, 2024. (Photo by Carlo Bressan/Anadolu via Getty Images)

STARTING GRID

  1. Max Verstappen
  2. Lando Norris
  3. Charles Leclerc
  4. Carlos Sainz
  5. Oscar Piastri
  6. George Russell
  7. Yuki Tsunoda
  8. Lewis Hamilton
  9. Daniel Ricciardo
  10. Nico Hulkenberg
  11. Sergio Perez
  12. Esteban Ocon
  13. Lance Stroll
  14. Alex Albon
  15. Pierre Gasly
  16. Valterri Bottas
  17. Zhou Guanyu
  18. Kevin Magnussen
  19. Fernando Alonso
  20. Logan Sargeant
IMOLA, ITALY - MAY 19: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing prepares to drive in the garage prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Emilia-Romagna at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari Circuit on May 19, 2024 in Imola, Italy. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Pit-lane is open!

The sound of Formula One cars revving their engines has begun, as the 20 drivers start making their way to the grid.

Formula One remembers Senna and Ratzenberger

Will Norris strike again?

Lando Norris finally got off the mark in Formula One with his victory in the excellent Miami Grand Prix.

While he did get fortunate during a safety car period, he pulled away from Max Verstappen and won the race on merit with a brilliant drive.

And what an opportunity he has in front of him this afternoon!

The penalty to his team-mate Oscar Piastri has provided a huge boost by pushing him up to the front row, and he will be determined to get the jump on his good friend Verstappen at the start to take the lead.

If he can strike again, could we potentially talk about him being a title contender?

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 05: Race winner Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren celebrates victory with his team after the F1 Grand Prix of Miami at Miami International Autodrome on May 05, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)

Qualifying recap

Believe it or not, there were expectations going into qualifying that Max Verstappen would not be on pole position!

The Dutchman had struggled in the three practice sessions but set a blistering pace in qualifying to take his eighth straight pole – a joint record in Formula One history alongside the great Ayrton Senna.

However, it was close at the top with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris close behind in the two McLarens, however the Australian received a three-place grid penalty for impeding Kevin Magnussen in Q1 – relegating him behind his team-mate and the two Ferraris.

It was more disappointment for Mercedes, with George Russell sixth and Lewis Hamilton eighth.

But the two big losers of qualifying were Sergio Perez and Fernando Alonso, who crashed in the morning practice session and could only place themselves 11th and 20th on the grid respectively.

The race pace of that McLaren, as Norris showed in Miami, is very impressive and something Verstappen will need to be wary of this afternoon.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Jay Hirano/Shutterstock (14489645da) Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy. 18.May.2024; Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in parc ferme after qualifying during Formula One Emilia Romagna Grand Prix 2024 Formula One Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Emilia-Romagna, Italy - 18 May 2024

Good afternoon!

And welcome to Mail Sport’s live blog for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

We will be bringing you all the updates and lap-by-lap action from lights out at 2pm.

Max Verstappen is on pole from Lando Norris, can the Brit in his McLaren upset the odds for the second race in a row?

Also what can Oscar Piastri do from fifth? He qualified second but received a three-place penalty which gives him an uphill challenge this afternoon.

IMOLA, ITALY - MAY 18: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing and Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren F1 Team in parc feme during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Emilia-Romagna at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari Circuit on May 18, 2024 in Imola, Italy.(Photo by Qian Jun/MB Media/Getty Images)
Key Updates

  • STARTING GRID

TOP STORIES