F1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix live updates - media day

Over and out: Imola FP1 at 1:30PM local time tomorrow

And that's all from us today, hopefully we've brought you the juiciest bits from the paddock at Imola. If you're just logging on, feel free to scroll through the day to review it in reverse! 

We'll catch you tomorrow for our coverage of FP1 and FP2 - do join us then!

Norris: "I need more from car, but I need to do a better job"

If there's anything we expect from Lando Norris, it's honesty. The Briton has been open with his occasional discomfort with the McLaren MCL39, particularly in qualifying - team principal Andrea Stella revealed in Miami that the car suffers from "front end numbness" when at the limit.

While Norris agreed with this, he didn't want to "have excuses" on his off-weekends; while he wanted more from the car, he suggested he had to do much of the work himself.

Lando Norris, McLaren

Photo by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Images

"I think it's what I've explained through the season. Every driver has different ways of driving cars. In the end of the day, I have no excuses, because I also feel like it's my job to drive whatever car I get driven. 

"So I'm not going to have excuses, but I'm going to have reasons at times. But in the end of the day, I just want to drive the best I can. So I might have days I struggle, I might have days I perform better. 

"But no driver is ever satisfied. I'm still trying to improve myself. We're still trying to improve the car, even though we're winning races, we're second in races, we're dominating races. 

"We still come away at times not happy and expecting more and wanting more. This is one of the things that's made my life trickier this year than it was last season. And it's not allowing me to get my full potential. 

"I need more from the car, and I also know that I need at times to do a better job too."

Tsunoda: Not yet got "muscle memory" with RB21

In his four races at Red Bull, Yuki Tsunoda feels that he's still got some catching up to do in his acclimatisation to this year's RB21. He says his four-and-a-bit years racing cars by Racing Bulls (or AlphaTauri/RB) gave that extra sense of how to handle the cars - and that he's rebuilding that.

"I think it's coming from not [having] muscle memories," Tsunoda explained. "Like everything in VCARB, when something [happens], it's just super easy to react. I don't have to think anything to react to it. 

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

"But so far, obviously still some unpredictable movements happening. And yeah, those things are just coming from experience, I guess. 

"And yeah, I'm looking forward to this weekend. I think it's going to be, if I understand correctly, it's going to be the same car as Max's this weekend. So at least I'll get to know at least what exact limitation, if it's covered by a different floor or whatever."

Tsunoda also responded that he'd already beaten Verstappen to the punch in driving around the Nordschleife - but later admitted it was only a show-run.

"I drove with the NSX GT3. But I don't think it was Max driving - it was Franz something..

"A bit of excuse, but I had a safety car in front to be safe. It was like part of the Red Bull something show run. So I was having a safety car in front. 
I couldn't really push at all. But it's not a track that certainly, yeah, [you can] drive fast immediately. 

"So he did really well, did Franz."

Being Franz Hermann: Verstappen reviews GT3 test

Max Verstappen drove a Ferrari 296 GT3 car in an NLS test at the Nurburgring Nordschleife - albeit under the alias of "Franz Hermann".

Driving the Emil Frey Racing GT3 machinery usually piloted in DTM by protege Thierry Vermeulen, Verstappen confirmed rumours that he clocked in a lap faster than the NLS GT3 lap record of a 7m49.5s.

"They asked me for a fake name, so I said let's make it as German as we can," Verstappen said. 

Max Verstappen, Emil Frey Racing Ferrari 296 GT3

Photo by: Max Verstappen

"[I had a fake name because] then you're not on the entry list. Otherwise people woke up at 8am knowing that my name is there. I knew that once I was there that people would realise. It's normal. But at least I wasn't on the entry list. So at least at 8, 9am it was pretty calm.

"But for me, I'm not there to show that I can break a lap record or whatever record. I was just having fun and learning the track together with the team.
With Emil Frey as well, they weren't there before. So for them also the dream is to do the 24 Hours there.

"We just had a good time getting up to speed. We were lucky with the conditions as well. It was really nice and sunny. So that's great if you can have that."

GPDA chief Russell: Sainz Sr's F1 insight could be "brilliant recipe" in FIA prez considerations

Williams' Carlos Sainz has already made his assertions clear about his father considering a run for the FIA presidency, believing that it would not pose a conflict of interest with his own position in F1.

GPDA chief - and Mercedes driver - George Russell agrees, and actually feels Sainz's perspective from F1 might offer his father a positive boon. He began with a slightly veiled dig at the incumbent FIA president...

George Russell, Mercedes

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images

"The president in years gone by has probably been far less involved than what we've seen recently, and far less visible. But we always knew who the president of the FIA was especially with Jean Todt.

"You're working in the background you're not working in in the forefront so I don't see there ever being a conflict. If anything it could only I think it could only benefit the sport, having you know Carlos with the inside knowledge of Formula 1 from a driver's perspective, and I think with Carlos Sr's knowledge from motorsport generally, it could be a brilliant recipe."

Actual home hero Antonelli excited by "challenging" Imola race

Mercedes' Andrea Kimi Antonelli has slightly more claim than Oscar Piastri to the Emilia Romagna GP as a home race, given he was born in nearby Bologna (and to make some of you feel old, born over a year after Alonso duelled Schumacher in '05). 

Antonelli has been given something of a hero's welcome at Imola - although he nevertheless expects his fans to be outmatched by Ferrari red in the grandstands.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images

"Well, for sure, it feels amazing. I think this one is my proper home race because, of course, we have Monza as well. But I live probably 30 minutes away from the track. 

"So I would say this is my proper home race and I'm really excited. I really like the track as well. I think it's a really challenging track, old school, it's really good fun to drive around here.

"I feel the weekend is going to be a special one, especially racing in front of all the Italian fans, my family, friends. So it's going to be intense as well."

Proper classics at Imola

Our man Fil Cleeren has been at the coalface in the paddock all day, so he's taken some time to enjoy the sights and sounds of Imola. And he's found some '90s classics on his adventures - no, not anything like a Williams FW18 or a McLaren MP4/13.

Instead, he's found a Simtek S951 and a Minardi M197 - much cooler choices than anything mainstream...

The Simtek S951 from 1995 [left] and the Minardi M197 from 1997 [right]

Photo by: Filip Cleeren

Haas' new hospitality building

For years, Haas has run with F1's smallest hospitality building - which was purchased from Ferrari at the start of its time the championship. 

The American squad now has a swanky new building - there's even room for a sofa now!

Piastri gets Lorenzo Bandini award at "another home race"

Current F1 championship leader Oscar Piastri has been collecting "home" races in addition to the one in his native Australia; he has 1/16 Chinese heritage, was "adopted" by Charles Leclerc in an effort to claim the Monaco GP,  and there's his Italian heritage putting Imola and Monza onto the list.

Piastri has also become the latest winner of the Lorenzo Bandini Award, which is given out on a yearly basis to F1 figures based on their achievements. George Russell won it last year, and it has also been awarded to the likes of Michael Schumacher, Kimi Raikkonen, Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, and Max Verstappen.

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images

"I mean, it's pretty hard to say that I'm not [enjoying the ride] when you've won four out of six. So it's been a great start to the year, obviously. I think I've been enjoying the success we've been having on track," said the Miami GP winner.

"But I think for me, what's been very satisfying is all the work we've done behind the scenes to achieve that."

Gasly sad to see Oakes leave Alpine

The "other" bombshell news to involve Alpine last week was Oliver Oakes' departure as team principal, which the Briton cited was for personal reasons.

This appeared to follow the arrest of Oakes' brother William, who was charged with transferring criminal property - and who had been placed in charge of the Hitech Grand Prix team following Oakes' move to Alpine.

Oliver Oakes, Team Principal, Alpine F1 Team

Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images

Gasly says that Oakes was starting to generate a positive impact on the French team, and that he was disappointed to see him leave.

"Yeah, I got on very well with Oli, I think we worked really well from the moment he arrived in the team last year: getting through that second part of the year, trying to have a positive impact in the team, working closely with Flavio as well.

"Things I would say worked very well all together, and I think it's obviously sad to see him leave the team, as I say, for the reasons I've just mentioned. On the other side it's a personal reason from Oli himself, and we've just got to accept it and respect it."

Colapinto excited to get going again in F1

We've heard from some of the other drivers and their feelings on the Doohan/Colapinto switch, and now it's time to hear from the beneficiary of the swap.

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images

Colapinto was drawn into the opening press conference session of the weekend - here's what he said about the move.

"I'm really excited. You know, everything is new again. We start from zero. 

"It wasn't the nicest to be, after being in the last nine races of the last year, having to step out was not what I wanted. But, you know, it was a good time to kind of reflect on what happened last year and to learn from it. So, happy to be back. 

"Of course, never nice circumstances when it happens like this, when you step in another driver's seat. But you never really choose the moment you're in Formula 1. I just take it, try to do my best and try to maximise the team for the job."

Alonso: Rookies had it worse in my day

Fernando Alonso says that the pressure on F1's current rookies is less given the preparation that they have on the way up to the championship, and compared it to his own 2001 debut with Minardi. 

"I don't think there is much pressure to be honest, there is a lot of preparation, they do Formula 3, they do Formula 2, they know all the circuits, they do simulator, they do TPC programmes, and they get to Formula 1 very well prepared," Alonso said.

"When I made my debut in 2001, I did my seat fit only one week before at Minardi because it was bankrupt and we were not going to Melbourne - and then Paul Stoddart bought the team, and we flew to Melbourne on Monday morning.  So the pressure of these days is a little bit different."

Fernando Alonso and Tarso Marques, Minardi PS01

Photo by: James Bearne

Arguably there was even less pressure on Alonso given the lack of expectation, but who are we to disagree?

Doohan demotion "very unfair" - F1's other '25 rookies

Following Alpine's switch between Franco Colapinto and Jack Doohan for Imola, the Australian's fellow rookies have had their way on the French squad's decision - and have largely felt that Doohan has been hard-done-by.

Jack Doohan, Alpine

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Isack Hadjar: "Even before the season it smelled a bit bad, because I think he entered the season with a lot of pressure and expectations. 

"It's not a really good environment and it feels quite unfair, because six races in, he didn't have much time to show anything, and it's not like he has a rocket ship as well, so yeah, a bit harsh."

Ollie Bearman: "I can only imagine it's a horrible situation and I feel like his treatment was very unfair. Coming from his position, being a rookie myself, it's very difficult, especially the first quarter of the season.

"We've gone to, I think, four out of six tracks that have been new for us as rookies. Before he even gets to the European season where they're the tracks he knows, he's already thrown out of the car. So, yeah, incredibly harsh in my opinion."

Gabriel Bortoleto: "Obviously a shame for Jack you know, [he] didn't had much races. We know that Formula 1 is not that you can take the car he had for example and put on pole - it's impossible.

"But I think he was doing actually a decent job, he had some incidents but he was doing a good job in qualifying and in some races so yeah. In my case I'm lucky, I have a very good team behind me you know that doesn't put this type of pressure."

Bearman: Haas to reveal "in pipeline" updates at Imola

Haas will race with a "modified car" across the Emilia Romagna GP weekend, as Ollie Bearman has revealed that the team has brought forward a few parts it's had ready for a few weeks.

Bearman on Haas updates: "We have a slightly modified car coming into this weekend and it's been in the pipeline for a while. Let's see how it performs on the track - I'm looking forward to seeing how this car fares.

"That's not something I'm missing at the moment [from the car] but getting more days where I have confidence in the car would help me."

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Photo by: Peter Fox / Getty Images

Bortoleto: Wheatley and Binotto helping Sauber progress

Bortoleto has had his own say on Sauber's improving stops, and says that the team is showing progression under new management despite remaining at the back of the order.

On Wheatley and Binotto's influence: "Absolutely, I think we are making progress. It doesn't mean that because you have someone new, it's going to appear in one month and it's a process - it takes time, like everything in life. I believe we are building this and Jonathan together with Mattia, they have been doing a very good job together."

On clinching Miami's fastest stop:  "It's a clear improvement, being the fastest pitstop last weekend. Huge congratulations for the team for that, and we are making more progress. Maybe people don't see it yet, but us inside the team we can see it clearly."

Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

Photo by: Lars Baron - Motorsport Images

Hulkenberg discusses Wheatley effect on Sauber stops

What a difference a year makes - last season, Sauber was struggling to log a sub-five-second pitstop given its issues dialling in its new pit equipment. It eventually logged its fastest stop lasting 2.32s in Baku on Valtteri Bottas' car.

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber, Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

The Swiss team has already beaten last year's best, with a 2.24s service for Gabriel Bortoleto in Miami. It has been suggested that team principal Jonathan Wheatley, who ensured Red Bull was a well-oiled machine in the stops during his time at the team, has started to influence Sauber in this department. Nico Hulkenberg says that Wheatley's 'first effects' are now visible.

"It's still obviously very early days, but I think the first effects of that are definitely happening and people also recognise and see that. 

"I think in the factory everyone is happy and listening to him, someone that comes with so much wealth and knowledge of how one of the most successful teams operates. It's definitely very powerful and valuable."

Albon on Colapinto/Doohan switch

Alex Albon explained his assessment of Alpine's swap between Franco Colapinto and Jack Doohan, having raced alongside Colapinto last year.

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

On Colapinto, and the five-race 'assessment period: "Great for him to get an opportunity. It's one of those where you definitely feel for one, and at the same time, you know that Franco's going to do a fairly good job. I think he's very talented.

"I think for him, it's more about ignoring the five race quota. It's easy to start making mistakes and overdriving and whatnot. You need to give yourself a bit of time to settle in."

On Doohan dropping to a reserve role: "I know Jack is a hard worker. I've seen the work that he was putting in last year in the simulator and doing a good job with the test programme. He's very committed as an individual. 

"I don't think he needs any more motivation than he has. More than anything, it's just to dig his heels in, get stuck in and try to prove yourself. It's always really difficult."

Retro: Verstappen's first F1 win

As our sister publication Autosport is celebrating its, and F1's, 75th anniversary, it is looking back through its vast archives to find some of motorsport's key historical moments.

It feels a bit dirty to call something so recent a "retro" piece, but we shall continue; Max Verstappen clinched his first F1 win almost nine years ago. Here is Autosport's report from the time.

Remember when Verstappen's three-letter code was "VES" - so he wouldn't be confused with Jean-Eric Vergne?

Photo by: Andrew Hone / Motorsport Images

Leclerc unwell; absent from media sessions

One driver we won't be hearing from today is Charles Leclerc, who will not be arriving at the circuit as Ferrari has confirmed that he is feeling unwell.

"He will rest and focus on recovering and we expect him to be in the car tomorrow," read a team statement.

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

Cowell on Aston Martin updates

Aston Martin revealed prior to the Imola F1 weekend that it was bringing updates to the Emilia Romagna GP in an effort to turn around a disappointing start to the season, and team principal Andy Cowell has explained the work behind some of the new bits earmarked for the AMR25.

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Photo by: James Sutton / Motorsport Images

Cowell says that the team has revised its floor and upper bodywork for the opening European race of the season - but the key thing is that this been in the pipeline for a while, and thus has largely been developed in the Mercedes wind tunnel rather than its own new 'tunnel. Aston brought it in-house for the final parts of validation work when its own facilities came on line.

"It's a step. This is a floor and top bodywork package that was work continuing on in the back end of December through until the first race in Melbourne. A lot of the development work was done in the previous wind tunnel, not the full aero team because from January the part of the full aero team were working on 26."

"The final bits of mapping work were done in our new tunnel and anything that we decide to do beyond this weekend is clearly done in our new tunnel."

Sauber celebrates 600 races at Imola

Someone in the comments (or maybe it was on one of the social media hellscapes) of a piece I'd written on Sauber's most important moments [shameless plug here] asked how it could be that the Swiss team was celebrating 600 races - given that many of those were raced under the BMW and Alfa Romeo monikers?

Jonathan Wheatley, Sauber team principal, talks to founder Peter Sauber

Photo by: Lars Baron - Motorsport Images

It's a little bit of mental gymnastics, but bear with: Sauber was formed in 1993, before BMW bought a controlling stake ahead of 2006 (founder Peter Sauber retained a 20% stake) and rebranded it BMW Sauber to keep hold of TV money. 

Sauber reclaimed full control when BMW sold up at the end of 2009 but, still, the team retained a common name and stakeholder to cover the BMW years. He then sold up to the Finn Rausing-fronted Longbow Finance in 2017.

The Alfa Romeo Racing rebrand from 2019-2023 was, in reality, only ever a naming deal - the team remained operated by Sauber Motorsport AG and retained common ownership. In effect, it's all about ownership and name.

Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo C42

Photo by: DPPI

Doohan gets frank assessment; Colapinto in for Imola

It was announced last week that Franco Colapinto would indeed be racing for Alpine at Imola, amid continued rumours that linked him to Jack Doohan's seat before a wheel was even turned in 2025. 

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images via Getty Images

The Argentine is back in the saddle for this weekend, albeit with much greater expectations placed upon him versus his appearances for Williams last season. In replacing Logan Sargeant, very few people anticipated that Colapinto would shine quite so much - there were crashes too, sure, but that's expected from a rookie.

But there was strong underlying pace too, and Alpine perhaps figured that Doohan hadn't shown so much. It's arguable a harsh call to switch so early, but equally, completely expected.

Will 2025 be the last time we see Imola on the calendar?

There's been a continued sense that Imola's position on the F1 calendar is on borrowed time. Although the circuit is a favourite among the drivers, owing to its old-school feel, elevation changes, and variation in corners, it very much feels out of step with the demands of current F1. 

Fernando Alonso, Renault R25, leads Michael Schumacher, Ferrari F2005

Photo by: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Images

When the cars were narrower, it was still difficult to find an opportunity to pass - but the chance nonetheless existed, which gave the thrilling race between Alonso and Schumacher in 2005 (image above) something of a point.

Today? Other than a DRS move into Tamburello, it's even more difficult to flesh out an attempt to overtake - bordering on impossible. Although fans of a certain vintage might pooh-pooh that notion, surely the difference between a race and a procession is the chance to make a pass?

There's also the two press conferences kicking off at 14:30 local time. Lance Stroll, Oscar Piastri, and Franco Colapinto will fill the first half-hour spot, as the second session stars Esteban Ocon, Kimi Antonelli, and Liam Lawson.

Naturally, in a session with the championship leader and a driver returning after a mid-season switch, Stroll's bound to get plenty of questions...

The F1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix weekend starts here

Hello everyone, and thanks for joining us. We'll be bringing you everything that emerges from the paddock as F1's European season kicks off at Imola.

There's plenty to come through the day - we'll hear from Aston Martin team principal Andy Cowell shortly, and then we'll have the Sauber drivers, then Williamses, and so on - concluding with McLaren.