F1 star responds after hitting a RABBIT during Imola GP practice: "I couldn't avoid it"

Alpine star Pierre Gasly insisted there was nothing he could do to avoid running over a rabbit during the first practice session at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Gasly has endured a miserable season, picking up just seven points from the first six races.

He enters this weekend's race in Imola with a new team-mate and a new team boss in Flavio Briatorie. It appears the fiery Italian has had an immediate impact .

Gasly came home in a solid sixth place in Free Practice One, before landing the third-quickest time in Free Practice Two. But the Frenchman was forced to recover from a bizarre incident during first practice.

During the opening session, Gasly's car collided with a rabbit which had been crossing the track. The animal made a massive impact with the front of the Alpine car.

Gasly insisted afterwards that he had been unable to avoid the incident. But he hailed his team for repairing the car quickly enough for it to come home in an impressive third place in the second session.

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He said: “Very sadly, I couldn’t tell if it was a small cat or a big rabbit - it turned out it was a big rabbit - just jumping across the track. I couldn’t avoid it so I had quite a big impact on the front wing.

"Unfortunately that was it for the rabbit and for the front wing it was not ideal. Not the end of the session we wanted. I must say it’s quite unfortunate. Obviously we always try to look after our parts and do the best job we can.

"So when such things happen it’s not great. Quite a bit of damage on the front wing and the floor but the guys managed to do great work to repair it. But I think we could have done without it.”

McLaren scored a one-two in both of Friday's sessions, with Oscar Piastri twice leading Lando Norris. And having finished just behind the duo, Gasly was left hailing his 'best Friday' of the year so far.

“It’s been a very, very good Friday. From the first lap I could tell the car was in a much better place than in Miami. I’m glad we managed to answer some of the question marks we had after the last race," Gasly added.

"Very pleased with the feeling in the car, the car reacts the way I want. I’m really able to be at the limit and push it to the maximum, so it’s a nice feeling. The performance is there, obviously we know from Friday to Saturday the others usually keep a bit more in their pocket.

"But I think it’s quite fair to say it’s probably been the best Friday so far this year. We know that the field can have all come slightly closer together on Saturday.

"But, with what I’m feeling at the moment, if we manage to keep that momentum, find a little bit more pace for tomorrow, I think we should be in the mix for the top 10 which is exciting. I’m pleased and excited to see the rest of the weekend.”