F1 news LIVE: Christian Horner sends dig McLaren’s way after Max Verstappen victory
Follow reaction after Verstappen’s brilliant win ahead of both McLarens in Emilia Romagna
Max Verstappen’s brilliant opening-corner move on Oscar Piastri fired him to victory at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
The Dutchman clinched a fourth successive win at Imola in Red Bull’s 400th race to end championship leader Piastri’s three-race winning run after taking the lead at the first chicane.
Verstappen was in control of the race but had to see off a late challenge, after a safety car slashed his lead, to clinch his second win of the season.
McLaren opted not to order Piastri to allow Lando Norris past in a bid to challenge Verstappen but the British driver ultimately made a brave move on his team-mate with five laps to go to finish second. Piastri’s lead to Norris was cut to 13 points, with Verstappen now 22 points behind the Australian.
Follow live updates from the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix with The Independent
Norris on battle with Russell:
"I mean it was with George [Russell], and I could see he was struggling with his tyres, it's risky and you don't want to take too much risk.
“It's a situation you have to take advantage of. We are racing - but he is a good racer, a fair racer."
Time for the podium in Imola!
Verstappen basking under the Italian sun as the Dutch and Austrian national anthems play out in Imola!
Max Verstappen after claiming pole:
“The start itself wasn’t particularly great but I was still on the outside, on the normal line – and I just tried to send it around the outside, it worked really well!
“Then it unleashed our pace, car was good and could look after our tyres. I’m very pleased, the VSC was handy to pit.
“Our pace was very strong, the safety car on the restart, we managed really well, brought it home. Incredibly proud of everyone, car performed really well.”
Lewis Hamilton, who finished fourth:
“For the tifosi, that was for them.”
Verstappen:
“Brilliant weekend, that was a fantastic execution all round. Thank you very much, not bad for our 400th race. Well done everyone, that was a very strong Saturday and Sunday!”
Max Veratappen wins the Emilia Romagna GP!
It’s a stunning win for Max Verstappen, who wins by over six seconds - his 65th win in Red Bull’s 400th race!
Lando Norris finishes second, with Oscar Piastri in third!
4-10: Hamilton, Albon, Leclerc, Russell, Sainz, Hadjar, Tsunoda
Alex Albon in the gravel! (Lap 60/63)
The Williams tries to overtake Leclerc but he can’t get it done, enters the gravel, and rejoins behind Hamilton!
A lap later, Hamilton takes fourth place from Leclerc on superior tyres!
Verstappen now six seconds clear of Norris...
Lando Norris passes Oscar Piastri! (Lap 58/63)
Norris gets it done!
Heading into Tamburello, the Brit has superior speed and passes the Australian!
Verstappen is already five seconds clear of Norris... but that should be P2 for the Brit!
Max Verstappen keeps his lead! (Lap 55/63)
And not only does he keep it, he’s outside DRS range to Piastri already!
It’s a two-second lead after the first racing lap!
McLaren have kept Piastri in P2 for now...
Leclerc working hard to keep Albon behind him too...
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