The second free practice session for the 2024 Formula 1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, round seven of the season, took place at Imola late on 17 May Beijing time. Charles Leclerc continued his strong form from the opening session to lead again with a 1:15.906. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was second, 0.192 seconds behind, and RB’s Yuki Tsunoda finished third.
Tsunoda completed 32 laps on medium and soft tyres, jointly the highest total of the session. His 1:16.286 put him third, 0.380 seconds behind Leclerc and only 0.188 seconds behind second-placed Piastri. The Japanese driver was, however, summoned by the stewards after the session over an alleged breach of the practice-start regulations.
Red Bull had still not found its rhythm after struggling in the first session. Max Verstappen was only seventh, 0.541 seconds behind Leclerc, with Sergio Pérez eighth. After his qualifying simulation on soft tyres, Verstappen vented over the radio: “Damn, what is going on? I don’t understand it at all. Everything is so difficult.” A sudden change in front-end grip nearly sent him into a spin, and he also went off track for the third time that day. Pérez’s long-run pace was, however, competitive with McLaren and Ferrari, suggesting that Red Bull’s difficulties were concentrated mainly on single-lap speed.
Mercedes, which brought upgrades to its floor, rear wing, beam wing and front brake ducts, performed solidly. Lewis Hamilton was fourth and George Russell fifth, both ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz in sixth. Haas veteran Nico Hülkenberg, driving an F1 car at Imola for the first time despite having contested 209 Grands Prix, finished ninth, a hundredth of a second ahead of Fernando Alonso. Daniel Ricciardo was 11th and Lando Norris only 12th.
With a possibility of rain at Imola on Saturday and rival teams still working to optimise their upgraded parts, Sunday’s race could produce an unexpected outcome. Third practice was scheduled for the evening of 18 May Beijing time.
| Position | Driver | Team | Gap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:15.906 | 29 |
| 2 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | +0.192 | 30 |
| 3 | Yuki Tsunoda | RB | +0.380 | 32 |
| 4 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | +0.391 | 29 |
| 5 | George Russell | Mercedes | +0.405 | 32 |
| 6 | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | +0.517 | 30 |
| 7 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | +0.541 | 23 |
| 8 | Sergio Pérez | Red Bull | +0.646 | 25 |
| 9 | Nico Hülkenberg | Haas | +0.920 | 28 |
| 10 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | +0.932 | 29 |
| 11 | Daniel Ricciardo | RB | +1.061 | 32 |
| 12 | Lando Norris | McLaren | +1.074 | 30 |
| 13 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | +1.085 | 26 |
| 14 | Esteban Ocon | Alpine | +1.102 | 31 |
| 15 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | +1.158 | 32 |
| 16 | Valtteri Bottas | Sauber | +1.182 | 28 |
| 17 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas | +1.223 | 32 |
| 18 | Alexander Albon | Williams | +1.229 | 23 |
| 19 | Zhou Guanyu | Sauber | +1.700 | 28 |
| 20 | Logan Sargeant | Williams | +1.942 | 22 |
