F1 Imola GP: Hamilton Accuses Hadjar of ‘Brake Testing’ as McLaren Dominates Practice
The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola is heating up, and not just on the track! Lewis Hamilton made a shocking accusation during practice, claiming that Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar deliberately "brake tested" him. Meanwhile, McLaren seems to be the team to beat, dominating both FP1 and FP2. Let's dive into the key moments and what they could mean for the rest of the weekend.
Hamilton's Heated Radio Message
According to reports, Hamilton was on a slow lap, discussing his “time” with his race engineer, Riccardo Adami when Hadjar “came shooting past him on the right, pulled in front – and braked.” Hamilton, clearly surprised, exclaimed, “Oh s**t! Jeez, this guy in front just brake tested me.” While Hadjar's intentions are debated, it's suggested he was making way for a Red Bull driver on a hot lap. However, the sudden braking forced Hamilton to react quickly, making for a tense moment.
McLaren's Strong Showing
While Hamilton dealt with on-track drama, McLaren was busy setting the pace. Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris secured a 1-2 finish in both FP1 and FP2, signaling a potentially dominant weekend for the team. Their performance during long runs in FP2 further solidified their strong race pace. Piastri averaged 1:20.042s over eight laps, leading Ferrari's Charles Leclerc by just 0.147 seconds. Even Max Verstappen's best was considerably slower. Is this the weekend McLaren breaks away?
Ferrari's Home Race Struggles
Ferrari, racing on home turf, didn’t have the start they hoped for. Leclerc reported issues with the brakes, branding them “horrendous”. Hamilton, driving for Ferrari in 2025, finished FP1 with the fifth fastest time. Improvement is definitly necessary.
Other Notable Moments
- During FP2, Isack Hadjar crashed into the wall at the Tamburello Chicane, bringing out a red flag.
- Verstappen reported something touching his foot when pressing the accelerator.
Looking Ahead to Qualifying and the Race
With McLaren looking strong and Ferrari hoping for a turnaround, the stage is set for an exciting qualifying session. Imola is a track where overtaking is difficult, making qualifying crucial for a good race result. For Hamilton, he will aim for top performance on track, while Hadjar will surely want to avoid further incidents.
What are your predictions for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix? Will McLaren continue their dominance, or will Ferrari find a way to challenge on their home circuit? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Related issues news
What time is F1 qualifying in Imola?
Qualifying for the F1 GP in Imola starts today at 15:00 BST on Saturday, May 17.
What country is Emilia Romagna Grand Prix?
Sunday's race takes place over 63 laps of the 4.909-kilometer Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, commonly known as Imola, in Italy.