Norris onto Imola front row after Piastri grid penalty

Oscar Piastri has been demoted from second to fifth on the grid for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix after receiving a penalty for impeding Kevin Magnussen in qualifying.

The McLaren driver produced his best qualifying performance of the season to finish second behind Max Verstappen in Imola but was punished for an incident that occurred in Q1, leaving his team-mate Lando Norris to inherit a front-row spot.

With Magnussen attempting to get himself out of the drop zone in the closing moments of the session, Piastri was unaware of the Haas coming up behind him and clearly blocked the Dane at Turn Two.

Magnussen’s lap was ruined and he could only qualify 18th, with the incident of particular frustration given Haas had a strong enough pace for his team-mate Nico Hulkenberg to reach Q3.

More than two hours after qualifying finished, the stewards confirmed Piastri’s demotion, explaining that a late warning from McLaren had left the Australian unable to “safely avoid impeding”.

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Norris’ hopes of backing up his maiden F1 victory last time out in Miami are boosted by the Brit’s promotion to second, while Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz move up to third and fourth, respectively.

Piastri will now start ahead of the Mercedes of George Russell and faces a major challenge to secure a podium despite McLaren’s impressive pace, given the difficulty of overtaking at Imola.

Emilia Romagna GP Starting Grid – Top 10

1) Max Verstappen, Red Bull

2) Lando Norris, McLaren

3) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

4) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari

5) Oscar Piastri, McLaren

6) George Russell, Mercedes

7) Yuki Tsunoda, RB

8) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes

9) Daniel Ricciardo, RB

10) Nico Hulkenberg, Haas

Piastri: I was short on options

Speaking to Sky Sports F1 before the stewards’ decision had been made, Piastri explained that he had only been made aware of the fast-approaching Haas at the last moment.

“I looked in the mirror and I didn’t see anyone coming,” he said.

“Here, you’re coming with such a big speed difference that I looked for a long time and didn’t see anyone.

“And then I got told quite late that he was on a push lap, and I tried to go, but you’re kind of short on options at that point.”

Sky Sports F1’s live Emilia Romagna GP schedule

Sunday May 19

7.30am: F3 Feature Race

9am: F2 Feature Race

12:30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Emilia Romagna GP build-up
2pm: The EMILIA ROMAGNA GRAND PRIX

4pm: Chequered Flag: Emilia Romagna GP reaction

5pm: Ted’s Notebook

8pm: Indy 500 Qualifying

Formula 1 heads to Europe as Imola returns to the calendar following last year’s cancelled race. Watch the Emilia Romagna GP this weekend, with Sunday’s race at 2pm. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime