Formula One news - Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon clash as Mercedes lead Imola practice

Red Bull driver Sergio Perez and Alpine's Esteban Ocon both tangled in a practice session on Friday at the Imola circuit for the Romagna Grand Prix. The Italian Grand Prix will take place on Sunday as the season moves onto the second round of the 2021 Formula One schedule, which has been altered from the traditional Australian start.

Red Bull's Sergio Perez and Alpine's Esteban Ocon tangled in practice for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Italy's Imola circuit on Friday, bringing out red flags before Mercedes emerged on top.

The opening session ended with Valtteri Bottas quickest in one minute 16.564 seconds and the Finn's seven-times world champion team mate Lewis Hamilton, last year's race winner, a mere 0.041 slower.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen, Hamilton's closest rival in the Bahrain season-opener when he started on pole and finished second, was third on the timesheets and 0.058 off the pace.

Bahrain Grand Prix

Hamilton describes shock Ferrari move as 'hardest decision I've ever had to make'

23/02/2024 at 15:35

• Calm Verstappen takes long-term view as round two looms
• Hamilton says F1 rivalry with Vettel remains his favourite
• Bottas says Mercedes have gone from hunted to hunters

The session ended with Russian rookie Nikita Mazepin spinning his Haas at the final corner for the second time in the space of an hour.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc was fourth fastest with AlphaTauri's Pierre Gasly fifth and Ferrari's Carlos Sainz sixth.

The turn five incident between Frenchman Ocon and Mexican Perez, former team mates at the Force India team that is now Aston Martin, was unclear due to a television technical problem.

It appeared there had been a coming together, however.

"It sounds like Ocon was on a slow lap, Sergio was on a flying lap and there's been contact between the two guys obviously into that corner," said Red Bull principal Christian Horner.

Lewis Hamilton: We expected Red Bull to be faster

"I haven't seen a replay, I've only got it second hand from the driver."

The technical problems meant teams were without some images and timing data.

Perez's car came to halt with the left rear tyre in shreds while Ocon parked up further down the track.

Both drivers and team representatives were summoned to the stewards while mechanics worked to repair the damage in time for the second session.

Formula 1

Verstappen says Hamilton could face 'awkward, weird' last season with Mercedes

15/02/2024 at 23:54

Formula 1

'It is very surreal' - Hamilton reflects on Mercedes career ahead of Ferrari switch

00:00:54

|

14/02/2024 at 17:31

Season 2024

'Emotional' Hamilton determined for success ahead of Ferrari move as Mercedes launch new car

14/02/2024 at 17:32