F1 Imola GP: Verstappen and Red Bull Seize Thrilling Win

Max Verstappen and Red Bull took center stage at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola, ending McLaren’s recent string of victories. This was race number 400 for Red Bull in Formula 1, and Verstappen made it memorable by claiming his second win of the 2025 season. For insights on Verstappen’s trajectory, see more on his future with Red Bull.

Starting second, Verstappen went on the attack early, overtaking Oscar Piastri into the first corner with a brave move around the outside at Tamburello. That pass put the Dutchman in command from the opening lap, setting the tone for a closely fought race.

Piastri, who began from pole, responded by making an early pit stop on lap 14, switching from medium to hard tyres. George Russell, who started third, mirrored this strategy, while Lando Norris stayed out longer, running in clear air but sitting roughly ten seconds behind Verstappen.

Red Bull’s tyre management appeared strong as Verstappen consistently kept a gap to the chasing McLarens, with Norris and Piastri fighting to keep pace. The race took a twist on lap 29 when Esteban Ocon stopped on track, resulting in a virtual safety car (FIA regulations).

Verstappen, yet to make his pit stop, gained a big advantage. When the race resumed, Verstappen led Norris by nearly 20 seconds, while Williams driver Alexander Albon briefly ran in third after benefitting from pit strategy.

Piastri moved into third as the order began to settle, but he was soon more than 12 seconds behind his teammate Norris, who was unable to close down the gap to the Red Bull leader.

A full safety car appeared on lap 47 following Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s retirement from eighth position, prompting the leaders to dive into the pits.

Verstappen and Norris both took fresh hard tyres, while Piastri stayed out, splitting the lead pair for the closing laps. The final 10 laps saw Norris overtake Piastri with fresher rubber, but the British driver couldn’t reel in Verstappen, who crossed the finish line first.

Piastri ended the race in third, rounding out a solid result for McLaren. Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz faced a recovery drive after starting 11th and 8th.

Leclerc gained ground but lost out due to strategy under the virtual safety car. A scuffle with Albon at Tamburello resulted in a dropped position, and after an order from the team, Leclerc finished sixth, behind Albon and Hamilton.

Sainz collected points by finishing eighth, while the Mercedes drivers struggled with high tyre wear and strategy calls. The race also saw Williams’ Isack Hadjar finish in ninth, and Yuki Tsunoda fought back from a tough qualifying to claim the last point in tenth with a one-stop strategy.

Aston Martin missed out on points after their tyre gambles in qualifying left Alonso and Stroll unable to challenge late in the race. With his third-place result, Oscar Piastri remains at the top of the championship, holding a 13-point lead over Norris and 22 points ahead of Verstappen.

The teams now prepare for the famous Monaco Grand Prix, which promises another showdown in the European phase of the 2025 Formula 1 season. More on the Imola GP where Norris led can be found in our race coverage.