Watch Formula 1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix — Practice 2 Free.

What's at Stake

The second practice session at Imola is critical for teams to gather high-fuel data and understand tire degradation on the demanding, narrow layout of the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari. With overtaking notoriously difficult at this circuit, perfecting the race setup during these sixty minutes can be the difference between a podium finish and being stuck in a midfield DRS train on Sunday.

Form Guide

Heading into the European leg of the 2026 season, the pecking order remains highly competitive as teams introduce their first major aerodynamic upgrade packages. Momentum is key at this technical track, where confidence over the aggressive kerbs and stability under heavy braking have historically favored cars with superior mechanical grip and balanced downforce levels.

Key Players to Watch

• Max Verstappen — The Dutchman traditionally excels at Imola and will look to establish a benchmark pace during the long-run simulations.
• Charles Leclerc — Driving for Ferrari on home soil, Leclerc faces immense pressure to optimize the Scuderia's setup for the Tifosi.
• Lewis Hamilton — As a veteran of this circuit, his feedback on tire wear and track evolution will be vital for his team's strategic planning.

Prediction

Expect the session to be topped by a driver from one of the front-running teams, likely focusing on a balance between qualifying trim and heavy-fuel stability. Ferrari is predicted to show strong short-run pace, but Red Bull’s consistency in race simulations will likely make them the team to beat by the end of the hour. Total lap counts will be high as teams prioritize data collection over outright lap times.