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mclaren
PIASTRI ALL SMILES HEADING INTO IMOLA
Oscar Piastri says McLaren’s impressive early-season form is a testament to the team’s relentless work behind the scenes, following a dominant victory in Miami that firmly reasserted their presence at the front of the grid.
“It’s been a great start to the year, obviously,” said Piastri. “What is satisfying is all the work done behind the scenes to do that.”
McLaren’s Miami performance was particularly eye-catching, with the team managing tyre wear well and showing strong race pace in the hotter-than-usual conditions. It marked one of their most convincing wins in recent years.
“The hotter conditions definitely helped us,” Piastri noted. “I’m not expecting that to be the case every weekend. Without them, it will be tougher to repeat that result.”
ASTON MARTIN
STROLL LAMENTS "LACK OF PROGRESS" IN RECENT RACES, AS ASTON MARTIN BRING MAJOR UPGRADE TO IMOLA
Lance Stroll has voiced frustration over Aston Martin’s lack of progress in 2025, admitting the team’s performances have failed to move forward from last season.
“We just haven’t made progress. It’s just the same as 2024,” Stroll said. “If you aren’t putting a lot of lap time on the car every week and developing it, you fall backwards.”
Aston Martin started the 2024 campaign strongly but have since slipped down the order, and 2025 has brought little improvement. Stroll pointed to a lack of standout pace across a variety of circuits.
“Naturally, there are tracks that suit the car more than others, but we haven’t been especially quick at any of them,” he added.
Aston Martin have brought their first major upgrade package of the season to Imola, as the Silverstone-based team battle to get their season back on track.
They are one of several teams expected to debut new packages, as is tradition at the first European race of the season.
MERCEDES
ANTONELLI ON THE PRESSURE OF A HOME RACE
Kimi Antonelli admits his first home Formula 1 weekend will be a real test, both mentally and emotionally.
“This weekend will be emotionally and mentally draining,” the teenager said during Thursday's press conference, ahead of his Imola F1 debut.
Antonelli will become the first Italian to race in front of the local crowd since Antonio Giovinazzi in 2021
Despite his youth, Antonelli has shown remarkable composure this season. He made a one-off FP1 appearance for Mercedes at Monza last year — an outing that ended in a crash — but he’s bounced back strongly and delivered consistent performances in 2025.
“It’s exciting,” he added with a grin, clearly relishing the occasion.
ALPINE
LAWSON & OCON DISCUSS ALPINE DECISION TO BENCH JACK DOOHAN
Jack Doohan’s replacement by Franco Colapinto at Alpine has sparked reaction in the paddock, with Esteban Ocon and Liam Lawson both weighing in during the press conference in Imola.
“Unfortunately, there just aren’t enough cars on the grid to accommodate all the talent out there,” said Haas driver Ocon, acknowledging the competitive reality facing young drivers.
Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson was more direct: “I spoke to Jack — it’s a tough one. He showed enough to stay in Formula 1. How can you really prove yourself in five races? It’s incredibly cut-throat. He deserves another shot.”
haas
OCON UPBEAT ON WHETHER HAAS CAN SCORE POINTS IN IMOLA
Esteban Ocon believes Haas are in the mix for points at Imola, but admits the midfield battle remains incredibly tight.
“It’s a little bit part of the team – the Italian DNA,” Ocon said, referencing Haas’ Ferrari-powered setup ahead of their home race.
“I think we’ve improved a lot since Melbourne — we were basically last on the grid, and now we have a car that’s fighting for points. But it is very close out there.”
The team has brought a couple of new components for this weekend, which Ocon hopes will give them an edge in what is expected to be another closely-fought contest.
Ocon has also recently reflected on the first time that he met Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu, telling F1's Beyond The Grid podcast his now boss is “probably the most competitive guy I’ve ever met."
