Leclerc urges Ferrari caution despite dream Imola start

Charles Leclerc has warned Ferrari that it must "keep its feet on the ground" despite topping both Friday sessions ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

Ferrari has delivered a sizeable upgrade package to Imola, featuring a new front and rear-wing, sidepods, engine cover, floor, diffuser, and rear suspension, which Leclerc put to good use on Friday, securing P1 in two 60-minute sessions at the Scuderia's home track. 

He topped FP2 by 0.192s from McLaren's Oscar Piastri on a troubled day for Max Verstappen and Red Bull, but despite the encouraging speed, Leclerc is not getting carried away. 

"For now, everything went quite smoothly, everything on the car felt good," the Monegasque explained.

"The upgrades on the car are working as expected, which is also a good step and it has been a smooth day. 

"We need to keep our feet on the ground as there will be big changes with the track conditions and track position here is absolutely everything. 

"Qualifying will be super important and it will be important for us to do the job in qualifying, there is still a lot of work to do and we will do it all to have a good qualifying."

Challenges on Saturday

The wind played a crucial role during the first two hours of practice, with a head-wind down the pit-straight and cross-wind into the Turns 17/18 double-left of Rivazza.

It is predicted to change around for qualifying - something Leclerc pinpointed as a factor to be wary of. 

"However, tomorrow, the conditions will change massively, the wind will completely turn around and we will have to be the best at anticipating those changes.

"It is great being at home, it is always a special feeling and for Ferrari being here and having so much support means a lot to all of us, so it will be great if the weekend continues in that direction."