World champion Max Verstappen has cruised to the win at the Emilia-Romagna GP in Imola, to remain firmly in the drivers’ title race currently led by McLaren duo, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, who completed the podium on Sunday.
The win was made sweeter for Verstappen as he came from behind to cross the chequered flag ahead of Norris, while Piastri, who started the race in pole position, settled for third place and see his championship lead cut to 12 points while Verstappen is now 22 points behind in third.
Piastri lost his lead in the race after turn one when Verstappen made an audacious overtake on the outside to take the lead in a determined drive on his way to a fourth straight win at Imola to salvage what has been a topsy-turvy season so far for Red Bull Racing.
McLaren did their best to wrestle the lead back from Verstappen but every strategy deployed between Norris and Piastri proved abortive as the papayas were simply unable to match the world champions drive to keep his title defence alive.
Another driver who enjoyed an incredible race in Imola is Lewis Hamilton as the Ferrari man went through the field from 12th place to end up in fourth – his highest finish since switching from Mercedes – ahead of Alex Albon of Williams and team-mate, Charles Leclerc, in sixth after starting in 11th on the grid.
Mercedes’ George Russell settled for seventh spot, Carlos Sainz of Williams followed in eighth, while Isack Hadjar of Racing Bulls and Red Bull Racing’s Yuki Tsunoda completed the top 10 at Imola.
Next up in the championship is the Monte Carlo GP.