Verstappen dominates Imola to claim 65th career win
Max Verstappen delivered a clinical drive to win the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix on Sunday, reminding the paddock of his championship pedigree with a commanding performance at Imola.
The 27-year-old Red Bull driver seized the lead from pole-sitter Oscar Piastri at the opening corner and never looked back, cruising to a 6.1-second victory over Lando Norris. Piastri, who leads the championship standings, completed the podium in third.
“It was a great weekend,” said Verstappen. “Thank you everyone for a great job today and on Saturday.”
The win—his second of the season and 65th overall—came in Red Bull’s 400th Grand Prix and lifted the Dutchman to third in the standings with 124 points, behind Piastri on 146 and Norris on 133.
Piastri admitted his early mistake cost him a chance at victory. “I braked too early,” he said. “But it was a great move by Max and then we had a few wrong calls so it was not one of our best Sundays.”
Norris praised his rival: “Congratulations to Max. We couldn’t match him this weekend.”
Lewis Hamilton climbed from 12th to finish fourth, taking advantage of two safety car interventions to recover lost ground. He finished ahead of Alexander Albon, Charles Leclerc, and George Russell.
RB rookie Isack Hadjar claimed ninth, with Yuki Tsunoda rounding out the points in 10th after a pitlane start.
The race honoured the 75th anniversary of the Formula One World Championship’s inaugural event, and Verstappen ensured his name remained central to its modern history.
(Source: AFP)
