F1 Imola GP 2024 LIVE: Qualifying updates, start time, schedule and results ahead of third practice

Much like yesterday, it’s sunny in the Emilia Romagna region but a tad windy ahead of third practice this morning!

Can Max Verstappen and Red Bull respond after a disappointing day on Friday – or can Ferrari and Charles Leclerc maintain their advantage?

A furious Max Verstappen deliberately drove in front of Lewis Hamilton as the one-time rivals clashed in practice for Sunday’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

Verstappen, who was aggrieved that Hamilton had obstructed him on a flying lap, launched his Red Bull into the Mercedes driver’s path here in Imola.

Although Verstappen made sure to avoid making any contact with Hamilton’s machine, the championship leader slowed down to make his feelings clear by taking his left hand off the steering wheel and gesticulating in Hamilton’s direction.

Seven-time world champion Hamilton will leave a vacant seat at the Silver Arrows when he joins Ferrari in 2025.

Wolff has flirted with Max Verstappen while Carlos Sainz – making way for Hamilton at Ferrari – is also a contender for the seat.

“Carlos is a great driver so wherever he goes he would be a positive for any team,” said Hamilton ahead of this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola.

“I have no idea what Toto’s plans are, but for me, if it was my job and my role, I would take on a youngster, and I would take on Kimi.”

5. Aston Martin – 42 points

Beaming in the novelty and adulation of his first victory in Formula 1, Lando Norris was not going to miss a beat in celebrating over the past fortnight. Partying with American sports stars, check. Two rounds of golf at Augusta National, check. Appearances on This Morning and Radio 1, check.

But, ultimately, you’re only as good as your last race. And now the fast-paced, hard-nosed world of F1 has moved on from Miami.

So to this weekend and the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, named after the Italian region where the famous Imola circuit is situated, 28 miles east of Bologna, and hosts a year on from the event’s cancellation due to heavy flooding. A track where Norris has gone well in the past – podiums in 2021 and 2022 – is a near-ideal follow-up from the highest of Florida highs, as F1 heads to Europe for the first time in 2024.

1. Max Verstappen – 136 points

2. Sergio Perez – 103 points

3. Charles Leclerc – 98 points

4. Lando Norris – 83 points

5. Carlos Sainz – 83 points

6. Oscar Piastri – 41 points

7. George Russell – 37 points

8. Fernando Alonso – 33 points

9. Lewis Hamilton – 27 points

10. Yuki Tsunoda -14 points

11. Lance Stroll – 9 points

12. Oliver Bearman – 6 points

13. Nico Hulkenberg – 6 points

14. Daniel Ricciardo – 5 points

15. Esteban Ocon – 1 point

16. Kevin Magnussen – 1 point

17. Alex Albon – 0 points

18. Zhou Guanyu – 0 points

19. Pierre Gasly – 0 points

20. Valtteri Bottas – 0 points

21. Logan Sargeant – 0 points

• Free practice 3: 11:30am
• Qualifying: 3pm

Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of third practice and qualifying at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix!

It was a tough day for Max Verstappen and Red Bull on Friday, with pace and car control lacking, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was the quickest man in both practice sessions in front of the home tifosi crowd.

So, could we have a first non-Verstappen pole-sitter this season in qualifying later? Stay right here for all the build-up and updates!

Thanks for following our coverage of Friday practice at Imola on a day dominated by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc!

Join us again tomorrow for qualifying. Until then, good night!