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
Max Verstappen maintains 1.5 second lead (Lap 8/63)
Impressive stuff from Verstappen, so far.
Having taken the lead, he has kept out of the DRS window to Piastri and has a lead of 1.5 seconds.
Russell is 2.5 seconds further back, but does have Lando Norris on his gearbox with DRS. Where is an overtake possible?
5-10: Alonso, Sainz, Albon, Stroll, Leclerc, Hadjar
TOP-10 AFTER 5 LAPS:
1. Max Verstappen
2. Oscar Piastri
3. George Russell
4. Lando Norris
5. Fernando Alonso
6. Carlos Sainz
7. Alex Albon
8. Lance Stroll
9. Charles Leclerc
10, Isack Hadjar
Antonelli P11; Hamilton P12
Pierre Gasly goes off!
Gasly, starting in 10th, is forced into the gravel in battle with Leclerc and drops four places!
Verstappen has a 1.6 second lead to Piastri - terrific opening from the Red Bull driver!
Max Verstappen takes the lead!
Oh it’s a sensational move from Max Verstappen!
The Dutchman swerves around the outside of the first chicane to take first place from Oscar Piastri!
George Russell got a great start but stays in P3, with Lando Norris in fourth!
Lewis Hamilton has dropped a spot to 13th!
Formation lap!
Piastri leads the 19-car pack around for the formation lap at what is a very short circuit in Imola!
The top-11 are on medium tyres, with Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Antonelli on hard tyres.
Yuki Tsunoda starts in the pit-lane.
Here we go then!
A reminder of the starting grid:
2. Max Verstappen
3. George Russell
5. Fernando Alonso
6. Carlos Sainz
7. Alex Albon
8. Lance Stroll
9. Isack Hadjar
10. Pierre Gasly
11. Charles Leclerc
12. Lewis Hamilton
13. Kimi Antonelli
14. Gabriel Bortoleto
15. Liam Lawson
16. Franco Colapinto*
17. Nico Hulkenberg
18. Esteban Ocon
19. Ollie Bearman
Pit lane. Yuki Tsunoda
*Franco Colapinto received a one-place grid penalty for an infringement in qualifying
Time for the Emilia Romagna GP!
Here we go then - it’s time for race seven of the 2025 season here in Imola!
Oscar Piastri, the championship leader, starts on pole position with defending champion Max Verstappen in second. George Russell is in P3, with Lando Norris in P4.
It’s a long-run down to the first chicane here - will we have any movement at the front of the pack?!
And what can Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari do from P12? We’re about to find out!
Alex Albon's car fixed!
The Williams had a leak in his car about an hour ago but the Williams mechanics have fixed the issue.
He’ll start the race as planned in P7!
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments