F1’s 2025 Imola GP: Who Triumphed and Who Fell

Imola’s 2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix saw excitement from the very first lap, delivering one of the most memorable races at the Italian circuit in recent seasons. The weekend featured a mix of clever strategy, tire choices, and dramatic moments.

Softer tire compounds brought by Pirelli increased the unpredictability, and two safety car periods gave teams extra chances to shuffle their strategies. That meant fans got to see bold moves on track and upsets in the running order.

Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing bounced back from a tough race in Miami, where he finished over half a minute behind. This time, Verstappen started just behind pole-sitter Oscar Piastri but made the difference with a perfect launch and daring move around the outside of Turn 1 at Tamburello.

Image credit: sports.info

Verstappen’s early attack put him in control, and strong pace on both the medium and hard tires kept him clear of the chasing McLaren pair. It was a crucial win for Verstappen, helping Red Bull fight back after recent defeats and proving they could beat McLaren on pure pace and tire wear at a track known for punishing mistakes.

On the McLaren side, expectations were high following their recent win in Miami, but Imola did not go their way. Oscar Piastri suffered after an unlucky virtual safety car and was unable to match Verstappen’s speed over the long stints.

Lando Norris, his teammate, also spent most of the race unable to make inroads on Red Bull. McLaren still leaves Imola extending its championship lead with both cars on the podium again, but after dominating in Miami, some questions are back about how well they adapt to different tracks and conditions. Norris had shown strong pace in qualifying, making it into Q3 at Imola.

Yuki Tsunoda struggled in his Red Bull. The Japanese driver crashed heavily in qualifying and admitted the car felt unpredictable when he pushed to the limit.

Starting from the pitlane, Tsunoda staged a gritty fightback to finish tenth and collect one point. However, crashing the car right as he was matching Verstappen for pace with the latest upgrades puts him at a disadvantage on spare parts and reliability for the races ahead. More details can be found about Tsunoda’s Imola crash.

With his seat under watch, Tsunoda faces pressure to deliver clean weekends soon. Lewis Hamilton had reasons to celebrate in front of the Italian fans.

He started twelfth for Ferrari but made up eight positions with a smooth, trouble-free drive to fourth. This was Hamilton’s first race for Ferrari in front of the home crowd at Imola, and the result offered a boost after a difficult start to his time at Maranello.

Image credit: www.motorsportweek.com

He appeared energized after the race, saying it reminded him of watching Michael Schumacher’s legendary Ferrari career.

Aston Martin had mixed fortunes. Fernando Alonso gave the team a strong qualifying result but their strategy unraveled during the chaotic race. Both Alonso and Lance Stroll switched tires early, a gamble that didn’t pay off once the safety cars mixed everything up.

Alonso missed out on points after falling behind Tsunoda late on. Still, their recent upgrades showed promise, suggesting the car’s pace is improving as 2025 progresses.

Mercedes had a frustrating afternoon. George Russell qualified high up but fell back as tire overheating forced the team to make early pit stops and switch to a two-stop strategy.

Their challenge of keeping the rear tires alive continues from last season. Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the rookie from Bologna, experienced his first grand prix retirement after throttle problems ended his race early, making his home debut a tough learning experience.

Williams showed their recent progress again as Alex Albon finished comfortably in the points. Albon briefly dreamed of challenging a McLaren, showing just how much the team has improved since shifting focus away from 2026.

Carlos Sainz also brought home a top-ten finish, and the team’s strategic calls mostly paid off, keeping them competitive among the midfield. With so much action and drama throughout the weekend, the 2025 Imola GP provided an unpredictable mix of winners and losers.

The outcome shakes up both the drivers’ and teams’ standings going into the next race at Monaco, where the fight between Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari, and their chasing rivals is sure to continue. For more insights on the Monaco Grand Prix’s unique challenges, check out the FIA’s official circuit guide.

Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.