Max Verstappen is back in the Formula 1 title fight after a dominant win at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver made a bold move into the first corner at Imola, overtaking pole-sitter Oscar Piastri around the outside at Tamburello. Verstappen then controlled the race from the front to claim his fourth win in a row at Imola and his third victory of the 2025 season.
The Dutchman finished ahead of Lando Norris in second and Piastri in third, giving Red Bull a perfect result on their 400th Grand Prix appearance.
A Crucial Win for Verstappen
Verstappen started the race from third but wasted no time in moving forward. His overtake on Piastri was clean, sharp, and timed to perfection. From there, he pulled away lap after lap, never losing control of the race.
“It was all about the start,” Verstappen said after the race. “Once I was in front, I just focused on tire management and keeping the rhythm.”
His victory brings him within 22 points of the championship leader. After a mixed start to the season, this win puts him back in strong contention.
Hamilton Shines in First Ferrari Race at Home
Lewis Hamilton gave fans something to cheer about with a brilliant drive from 12th to 4th place. Racing for Ferrari in Italy for the first time, the seven-time world champion delivered his best finish of the year.
With a smart tire strategy and brave overtakes, Hamilton carved through the field and crossed the line just behind the podium finishers.
“I’m proud of what we did today,” said Hamilton. “We stayed calm, stuck to the plan, and made it work. The support from the fans was amazing.”
Championship Standings Tighten
With the top three finishers from Red Bull and McLaren, the title fight is wide open heading into the next rounds in Monaco and Spain.
Current Standings (After Emilia-Romagna GP):
-
Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 134 points
-
Lando Norris (McLaren) – 121 points
-
Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 112 points
The close gap at the top means every race will now play a huge role in deciding the 2025 champion.
McLaren Struggles with Race Pace
Despite locking out the front row in qualifying, McLaren couldn’t match Verstappen’s speed in the race. Piastri lost time due to a poorly timed safety car, and Norris couldn’t close the gap after the restart.
Team Principal Andrea Stella said, “We had a strong start, but once Max was in front, it was difficult to challenge. We’ll regroup and focus on Monaco.”
Full Race Results – Top 10 Finishers
-
Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
-
Lando Norris (McLaren)
-
Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
-
Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
-
Alex Albon (Williams)
-
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
-
George Russell (Mercedes)
-
Carlos Sainz (Williams)
-
Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)
-
Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull)
With the next race set for the streets of Monte Carlo, the Formula 1 world shifts focus to the high-stakes Monaco Grand Prix. The tight circuit will test the drivers’ skill, and strategy will be key.
Verstappen’s victory in Imola shows that Red Bull still has what it takes to win. Hamilton’s performance proves he is adapting well to Ferrari. And McLaren, despite the loss, remains strong in both drivers’ and constructors’ battles.