Sat May 17 13:50:00 UTC 2025: ## McLaren Dominates Early Practice at Imola Amidst Team Shakeups

**Imola, Italy** – As Formula 1 returns to the hallowed grounds of Imola for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri is proving to be the driver to beat. Piastri, leading the championship by 16 points over teammate Lando Norris, topped the timesheets in both Friday practice sessions, with Norris close behind in a McLaren 1-2.

McLaren’s dominance extends beyond individual performances, with the team leading the constructor’s championship by a significant 105 points over Mercedes.

The race weekend promises drama both on and off the track. Sunday’s race, starting at 14:00 BST (3 PM local time), could see light showers affecting the 63-lap grand prix. Qualifying on Saturday is expected to be warm and sunny, with temperatures reaching 23°C. However, a 20% risk of rain is anticipated for both Saturday and Sunday.

Alpine is undergoing significant changes, with Franco Colapinto replacing Jack Doohan after only six races. The team also announced the departure of team principal Oliver Oakes, with Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore taking on his responsibilities.

Fans can follow all the action on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds, the BBC Sport website and app, and through the Chequered Flag podcast. Don’t miss the third practice session (11:30-12:30 BST) and qualifying (15:00-16:00 BST) on Saturday, leading up to Sunday’s main event.

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