F1 Emilia Romagna GP 2025 LIVE: Practice start time, updates and schedule with Hamilton in need of strong start – UK Times

Ahead of Ferrari’s home race in Imola, I spent a day in Maranello, the famous prancing horse emblem at every turn, dissecting the prestige of the Italian marque in contrast to the flaws of the present-day F1 team:

When leaving Mercedes last season, Hamilton left a handwritten note for his replacement in the Mercedes motorhome.

At the first European race of the season, the 18-year-old read the private note for the first time!

One top-five finish, seventh in the championship – it’s not been the start to the season desired for Lewis Hamilton.

“I anticipated it would be very tough, because I’ve joined a team before,” Hamilton said, referencing his move from McLaren to Mercedes in 2013, in his session with the written press at Imola on Thursday.

“I came in with a really open mind. I didn’t know how tough it was going to be. I knew it was going to be challenging.

“It’s as challenging as it could ever be. On all fronts.”

1. Oscar Piastri – 131 points

2. Lando Norris – 115 points

3. Max Verstappen – 99 points

4. George Russell – 93 points

5. Charles Leclerc – 53 points

6. Kimi Antonelli – 48 points

7. Lewis Hamilton – 41 points

8. Alex Albon – 30 points

9. Esteban Ocon – 14 points

10. Lance Stroll – 14 points

11. Yuki Tsunoda – 9 points

12. Pierre Gasly – 7 points

13. Carlos Sainz – 7 points

14. Nico Hulkenberg – 6 points

15. Ollie Bearman – 6 points

16. Isack Hadjar – 5 points

17. Fernando Alonso – 0 points

18. Liam Lawson – 0 points

19. Jack Doohan – 0 points

20. Gabriel Bortoleto – 0 points

Here’s all your key timings this weekend!

• Free practice 1: 12:30pm
• Free practice 2: 4pm

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

Good morning and welcome to live coverage of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola!

Yet the Scuderia will be eyeing an improvement in front of their home tifosi crowd in Imola. Last year, Verstappen won the race after holding off a late charge from Norris.