The starting grid for the 2025 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola has been significantly reshuffled due to multiple penalties following a dramatic qualifying session.
Top 10 Starting Grid (with penalties applied)
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
2. Lando Norris (McLaren) – Promoted after Piastri’s penalty
3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – Gains from Piastri’s drop
4. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) – Also benefits from Piastri’s penalty
5. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – Originally qualified 2nd but received a three-place grid penalty for impeding Kevin Magnussen during Q1
6. George Russell (Mercedes)
7. Yuki Tsunoda (RB) – Despite a heavy crash in Q1, allowed to start after stewards’ approval
8. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
9. Isack Hadjar (RB)
10. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
Notable Penalties and Incidents
• Oscar Piastri was penalized three grid places for impeding Kevin Magnussen during Q1. The stewards determined that McLaren failed to provide Piastri with timely information about Magnussen’s approaching car, leading to the incident .
• Franco Colapinto received a one-place grid penalty for entering the fast lane of the pit lane before the session restart time was confirmed during Q1. He will start 16th .
• Yuki Tsunoda suffered a severe crash in Q1, flipping his car at the Villeneuve chicane. Although he did not set a qualifying time, the stewards permitted him to start the race from the back of the grid .
• Fernando Alonso will start from the pit lane after Aston Martin made late suspension setup changes following a disappointing qualifying session .
Ferrari’s Home Race Boost
Both Ferrari drivers, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, have been promoted to the second row, starting third and fourth respectively, due to Piastri’s penalty. This offers a morale boost for the team at their home Grand Prix in Imola .
The stage is set for an exhilarating race at the historic Imola circuit, with the reshuffled grid promising intense battles and strategic maneuvers.