Fourth Consecutive Imola Win for Verstappen Headlines Clinical Display

Image via Clive Rose/Getty Images

As the drivers drove off the starting grid in the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, mere seconds brought Max Verstappen control of first position from Australian Oscar Piastri. Such was the clinical display from the four-time World Drivers’ Championship winner throughout the race.

The race, though led through and through by the Dutchman, was his second win in this year’s F1 calendar and brought Max back into the World Drivers’ Championship reckoning. The McLarens’ dominant showing throughout the season yet leads them with the first two spots on the table, with Piastri and Norris with 146 and 133 points respectively, Verstappen closing in with 122 early on in the season. More surprisingly, Piastri relinquished his first position, especially after three consecutive race wins and a dominant showing consistently this season. After another close pole position secured masterfully by the Aussie just a day prior to the race, one turn and a minor error let the aggressive Verstappen snatch first and eventually secure the race.

Later in the race, a safety car was deployed after an unfortunate miscue by impressive rookie Kimi Antonelli on his home track. The timing could not have been better for Verstappen, who utilized his lead and the safety car to pit safely, without relinquishing his first position despite being on relatively old tires before the stop.

Due to Piastri’s old tires in the waning laps of the race, Norris overtook his teammate in a last-ditch effort to pass Verstappen on hard tires. This decision remained unsuccessful, inadvertently bringing the Driver’s Championship into a tighter knot.