F1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - FP1 as it happened

Follow the F1 action from Imola as Friday practice takes place in rainy conditions. 

Formula 1 will race at Imola for a third consecutive year having not featured on the calendar since 2006 before that.

The iconic Italian venue threw up a fantastic event in 2021 which saw Max Verstappen win the race in tricky conditions, while Lewis Hamilton recovered from an off-track excursion to finish second.

Ferrari heads into this weekend’s Emila Romagna Grand Prix as the team to beat with Charles Leclerc 34 points clear of Mercedes’ George Russell in the drivers’ championship.

Hamilton and Verstappen have endured tricky starts to the year, with the latter retiring from two of the opening three grands prix.

In terms of the midfield, Alpine appears to have stolen a march with Haas, Alfa Romeo, AlphaTauri and McLaren just behind.

Williams scored its first point of the season last time out in Melbourne, while Aston Martin is still yet to get off the mark.

The Scuderia hasn’t won on home soil since 2019 and will be looking to do so in the first of two Italian races this campaign.

F1’s sprint qualifying format also makes a return for this weekend’s grand prix.

The format means there will be just one practice session ahead of qualifying, with a 100km sprint taking place on Saturday afternoon which will be used to determine the grid for the main grand prix.

With wet weather expected across the weekend, it could be an exciting first European race of the 2022 F1 season.

Previous F1 Imola (Emilia Romagna / San Marino) winners:

2021: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

2020: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

2007-2019: Not held

2006: Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)

2005: Fernando Alonso (Renault)

2004: Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)

2003: Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)

2002: Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)

2001: Ralf Schumacher (Williams)

2000: Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)

Most F1 Imola wins:

Michael Schumacher: 7 wins (1994, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006)

Alain Prost: 3 wins (1984, 1986, 1993)

Ayrton Senna: 3 wins (1988, 1989, 1991)

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Full 2022 F1 calendar

March 18-20 - Round 1

Bahrain Grand Prix

March 25-27 - Round 2

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

April 8-10 - Round 3

Australian Grand Prix

April 22-24 - Round 4

Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix

May 6-8 - Round 5

Miami Grand Prix

May 20-22 - Round 6