Imola Formula 1 Grand Prix Today, LIVE: Schedules for Practices, Colapinto Participation Details, and Race Insights for May 16th
Sabrina Faija Into the Race Seat: Franco Colapinto's Debut with Alpine at Imola
Franco Colapinto's comeback in Formula 1 begins in earnest with Alpine, replacing Australian Jack Doohan. Kicking off this new chapter at the traditional Imola circuit, he’s prepped to hit the track on Friday for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.
Colapinto Surfaces in the 13th Spot
The Argentine driver showed he was making his way in the A525 during FP2, recording a remarkable improvement over his FP1 performance, leaping from 17th to 13th place. He fondly reminisced about the track improvements and the 21 laps he completed during the morning session, which brought him much closer to teammate Pierre Gasly in race pace tests.[2] This tight competition is a testament to Colapinto's growing comfort with his new ride.
Red Flag Sows Temporary Chaos
During FP2, a hiccup occurred when Isack Hadjar spun at Tamburello, resulting in a red flag and a four-minute break in the action. Despite the inconvenience, the cars returned to the track towards the end of the session to test a bit more and squeeze in some last-minute runs.[3]
Colapinto Fights for Position with Norris
One of the standout moments during FP2 was the heated battle between Colapinto and McLaren’s Lando Norris. The male duo engaged in an intense mano-a-mano race pace test and swapped positions as if they were vying for the win come Sunday. Ultimately, Colapinto relented and let Norris pass, providing a glimpse of the tough competition and excitement that Colapinto will bring to the track.[6]
Fine for Ferrari
The Italian outfit Ferrari was hit with a €5,000 fine due to a mistake in the procedures for checking Charles Leclerc's tires. The team will undoubtedly be hoping to bounce back from this setback come Saturday's action.[3]
Upcoming Schedule
Be ready to tune in on Saturday for the third practice and qualifying sessions, with the former scheduled for 7:30 AM local time and the latter beginning at 11:00 AM.[3] Keep tabs on everything via the Disney+ platform or the official Formula 1 channel.
Past Glory and Present Ambition
This weekend marks another chapter in Colapinto’s Formula 1 journey, following his nine-race stint with Williams back in 2024. As he gears up for qualifying, he will be bolstered by his previous experience and competitive spirit, aiming to secure a spot on the grid and make a lasting impression in his debut race with Alpine.[2]
Sources:
[1] Reuters[2] GPFans[3] Autosport[4] Formula1.com[5] racingnews365.com[6] Sky Sports F1
I'm not disagreeing with you, but let's talk about sports instead. Despite the red flag incident during FP2, Franco Colapinto demonstrated his potential by engaging in a close race pace test with Lando Norris, showcasing the fierce competition he will bring to Formula 1.
