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.
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F1 EMILIA ROMAGNA GRAND PRIX - LATEST UPDATES
- Max Verstappen wins the Emilia Romagna GP; Norris 2nd; Piastri 3rd
- PASS! Norris swoops past George Russell for third place
- OVERTAKE! Max Verstappen takes first place from Oscar Piastri at the start
- Lewis Hamilton started down in P12
- FEATURE: Welcome to Maranello, Ferrari’s hometown where history weighs heavy on F1’s greatest team
Christian Horner sends a dig McLaren’s way
19:52
,
Kieran Jackson
“We were more surprised with McLaren’s lack of performance,” Horner added. “We got the car into a very good window yesterday, Max was certainly very positive about the balance and about being able to lean on the rear of the car.
That was certainly a positive. That carried into the race. We were just in a better-balanced window, which proved to be the case.
“To have the pace today, [for the first time] since Brazil last year – that’s the first time I can remember that we’ve had the pace to really pull away from the McLarens.”
Drivers' championship standings
19:30
,
Mike Jones
After losing pole and slipping down the field, Oscar Piastri’s recovery drive ensured he finished third at Imola and is still on track in his pursuit of a first world championship.
Here are the standings:
1. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) - 146
2. Lando Norris (McLaren) - 133
3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 124
4. George Russell (Mercedes) - 99
5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 61
6. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) - 53
7. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) - 48
8. Alex Albon (Williams) - 40
9. Esteban Ocon (Haas) - 14
10. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) - 14
RACE REPORT: Max Verstappen’s race-winning overtake in Imola reminds McLaren of F1 title credentials
19:00
,
Kieran Jackson
Brake too early at your peril.
That’s the thought pole-sitter Oscar Piastri will take to Bologna airport on Sunday night, seeing 10 points pass him by in his championship hunt.
The clear favourite to romp home to victory in the speedy McLaren, the championship leader endured a tough lesson in first-lap combat here under the stunning Imola sunshine.
Unambiguously, you do not leave a Red Bull-sized gap down the outside for a four-time world champion.
McLaren’s Andrea Stella on Verstappen:
18:30
,
Mike Jones
“Fair play to Max, today he was very fast.
“We tried a few things... deviating with the strategy which didn’t pay off today.
“We won the race in Saudi in corner one... today it was the opposite. Two McLarens on the podium, strong for the constructors and good points for both drivers.”
Verstappen looks ahead of Monaco
18:15
,
Mike Jones
"I like driving and racing in Formula 1, next week it’s a completely different kind of track in Monaco and that’s also going to be very challenging,” said Max Verstappen after his win at Imola.
“But for the moment I just want to enjoy today and take it in.
"It’s always fantastic to be in Italy, proper passion for motorsport so it’s fantastic to see all these fans out here the whole weekend, so thank you for coming."
Horner on Red Bull's victory
18:00
,
Mike Jones
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said: “We managed to get the car into a window, the parts we brought worked.
“There was at no point in the race where he really looked under threat.
“That first stint was so long on the medium, that was what was particularly impressive and reassuring that we were able to have better deg than the McLarens in that first stint.”
Monaco Grand Prix timings
17:47
,
Mike Jones
The next race is in Monaco and here are all the timings for next week’s grand prix:
Friday, May 23
FP1 – 12.30pm BST
FP2 – 4pm
Saturday, May 24
FP3 – 11.30am
Qualifying – 3pm
Sunday, May 25
Race – 2pm
Next up Monaco
17:26
,
Mike Jones
Charles Leclerc isn’t happy in his Ferrari.
A sixth placed finish at Imola, having started 11th on the grid represents a decent race but the Monegasque wants to be challenging for titles.
After the grand prix in Italy he was asked if he had any hopes of performing well at the next race in Monaco (his home one) and his reply was telling.
“No.”
Norris on battle with Russell:
17:08
,
Mike Jones
"I mean it was with George [Russell], and I could see he was struggling with his tyres, it's risky and you don't want to take too much risk.
“It's a situation you have to take advantage of. We are racing - but he is a good racer, a fair racer."
Time for the podium in Imola!
16:32
,
Kieran Jackson
Verstappen basking under the Italian sun as the Dutch and Austrian national anthems play out in Imola!
Max Verstappen after claiming pole:
16:20
,
Kieran Jackson
“The start itself wasn’t particularly great but I was still on the outside, on the normal line – and I just tried to send it around the outside, it worked really well!
“Then it unleashed our pace, car was good and could look after our tyres. I’m very pleased, the VSC was handy to pit.
“Our pace was very strong, the safety car on the restart, we managed really well, brought it home. Incredibly proud of everyone, car performed really well.”
Lando Norris after finishing P2:
16:09
,
Kieran Jackson
Lando: “It was a long race, not easy to overtake. We did what we could, Max drove a good race – they were quick, probably a bit quicker.
“We had a battle between Oscar and myself, a bit tense – we’d love to be up fighting with Max but they were too quick.
Lewis Hamilton, who finished fourth:
15:52
,
Kieran Jackson
“For the tifosi, that was for them.”
Verstappen:
15:45
,
Kieran Jackson
“Brilliant weekend, that was a fantastic execution all round. Thank you very much, not bad for our 400th race. Well done everyone, that was a very strong Saturday and Sunday!”
Max Veratappen wins the Emilia Romagna GP!
15:37
,
Kieran Jackson
It’s a stunning win for Max Verstappen, who wins by over six seconds - his 65th win in Red Bull’s 400th race!
Lando Norris finishes second, with Oscar Piastri in third!
4-10: Hamilton, Albon, Leclerc, Russell, Sainz, Hadjar, Tsunoda
Alex Albon in the gravel! (Lap 60/63)
15:33
,
Kieran Jackson
The Williams tries to overtake Leclerc but he can’t get it done, enters the gravel, and rejoins behind Hamilton!
A lap later, Hamilton takes fourth place from Leclerc on superior tyres!
Verstappen now six seconds clear of Norris...
Lando Norris passes Oscar Piastri! (Lap 58/63)
15:28
,
Kieran Jackson
Norris gets it done!
Heading into Tamburello, the Brit has superior speed and passes the Australian!
Verstappen is already five seconds clear of Norris... but that should be P2 for the Brit!
Max Verstappen keeps his lead! (Lap 55/63)
15:25
,
Kieran Jackson
And not only does he keep it, he’s outside DRS range to Piastri already!
It’s a two-second lead after the first racing lap!
McLaren have kept Piastri in P2 for now...
Leclerc working hard to keep Albon behind him too...
Safety car in this lap! (Lap 53/63)
15:21
Here we go then.... can Max Verstappen hold the lead at the restart?
And what will McLaren do?
TOP-10 AT END OF SAFETY CAR PERIOD
15:17
,
Kieran Jackson
Verstappen; Piastri; Norris; Leclerc; Albon; Russell; Hamilton; Sainz; Hadjar; Hulkenberg
Norris asking to overtake Piastri! (Lap 50/63)
15:16
,
Kieran Jackson
Norris says over team radio that McLaren should let him by in second place given his fresher tyres...
Charles Leclerc, in fourth:
15:15
,
Kieran Jackson
“I’m not being pessmistic but these tyres are going to be incredibly difficult to restart.”
TOP-10 AT END OF SAFETY CAR PERIOD
15:11
,
Kieran Jackson
Verstappen; Piastri; Norris; Leclerc; Albon; Russell; Hamilton; Sainz; Hadjar; Hulkenberg
But Verstappen’s massive lead has now gone!
Max Verstappen pits! (Lap 47/63)
15:09
,
Kieran Jackson
Verstappen has a free pit-stop, 2.1 seconds, and stays in front.
Norris heads in but Piastri stays out!
Piastri takes P2 with Norris in P3 but on fresher tyres.
Leclerc is told he can’t come in to pit as they don’t have a tyre which will take them to the end...
Antonenlli has an issue!
15:07
,
Kieran Jackson
The teenager has stopped a the side of the track - and it’s a full safety car!
Antonelli: “I’ve got an issue.”
Will this change things at all?
Oscar Piastri passes Alex Albon for P3! (Lap 40/63)
14:59
,
Kieran Jackson
Inevitable.
Dreams of an Alex Albon podium slip away as Oscar Piastri comfortably gets the move done at the end of the main straight!
Piastri back into the top-3 - but is 13 seconds behind his teammate Norris.
Hamilton passes Hadjar! (Lap 36/63)
14:55
,
Kieran Jackson
Hamilton gets another pass done, this time on Hadjar, at the first chicane!
Engineer: “P5, great job.”
Hamilton: “Yeah I had to use a lot of tyres to get past those two.”
Lewis Hamilton up to P6! (Lap 35/63)
14:53
,
Kieran Jackson
Hamilton surges down the outside of the first chicane to pass home hero Antonelli and take sixth place!
At the front, Verstappen’s lead to Norris has gone down slightly to 18 seconds...
Oscar Piastri pits too (Lap 31/63)
14:47
Oh wow, Piastri is coming in for his second pit-stop too!
He drops from second to fourth.
Green flag conditions again - and Verstappen has a 21-second lead to Norris!
Top-10: Verstappen, Norris, Albon, Piastri, Hadjar, Antonelli, Hamilton, Alonso, Stroll, Leclerc
Virtual safety car! (Lap 29/63)
14:44
,
Kieran Jackson
This is a dream for those yet to stop!
Esteban Ocon has stopped on the grass on the exit of turn 6!
Verstappen pits - 2.3 seconds - and comes out with a 21-second lead to Piastri!
Hamilton also pits...
Piastri passes Hadjar! (Lap 28/63)
14:43
,
Kieran Jackson
The Australian up to P4 with a move down the main straight and into the first chicane!
Alex Albon, in third, is seven seconds down the road.
1-10: Verstappen, Norris, Albon, Piastri, Hadjar, Antonelli, Hamilton, Leclerc, Hulkenberg, Bearman
Oscar Piastri passes Lewis Hamilton! (Lap 27/63)
14:41
,
Kieran Jackson
Piastri is slowly but surely making his way through the pack... but it’s killing his tyres and Verstappen has a 30-plus second lead to the Australian.
Piastri gets past Hamilton now... Antonelli soon follows.
Piastri up to P5.
Lewis Hamilton on team radio (Lap 23/63)
14:36
Hamilton: “Can we undercut these guys?”
Engineer: “We don’t think it’s worth it, not ruling out plan C.”
Hamilton: “Understood.”
Meanwhile, Piastri takes Hulkenberg for P7 - all of the top-six are yet to pit.
Top-10: Verstappen, Norris, Albon, Hadjar, Antonelli, Hamilton, Piastri, Hulkenberg, Leclerc, Bearman
Russell is down in P12... way behind Leclerc who started eight places behind him!
Piastri passes Tsunoda (Lap 18/63)
14:30
,
Kieran Jackson
Super move from Piastri, around the outside of the first chicane to get ahead of Verstappen’s teammate!
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton is now sixth but is yet to pit.
Top-10: Verstappen, Norris, Albon, Hadjar, Antonelli, Hamilton, Hulkenberg, Piastri, Colapinto, Bearman
Leclerc P12; Russell P13.
Max Verstappen opting not to pit! (Lap 17/63)
14:28
Verstappen has decided not to cover Piastri and is staying out... for now!
Piastri is now looking to overtake Verstappen’s teammate Yuki Tsunoda for P10...
Oscar Piastri pits! (Lap 14/63)
14:23
,
Kieran Jackson
A 3.6-second pit-stop for the pole-sitter, and he comes out in P12!
Max Verstappen now has a 10-second lead to Lando Norris in second, with Alex Albon up to third!
The order all over the place at the moment, given the pit-stops!
Charles Leclerc pits too! (Lap 12/63)
14:21
,
Kieran Jackson
Leclerc pits from the top-10 and drops to P17... will this be a two-stop race?
Meanwhile, Piastri on team radio: “Plan A is very ambitious at the moment.”
Presumably that’s a one-stop...
Norris takes third place (Lap 11/63)
14:20
,
Kieran Jackson
Norris gets is done for third place!
The McLaren has superior speed heading into the Villeneuve chicane and swoops into the top-3!
Russell pits a lap later... and drops to 16th.
Lando Norris eyeing a move on George Russell!
14:17
Norris has DRS and is on the gearbox of Russell in P3 - but it’s a tricky track to overtake at! Russell is defending well... for now.
“I’m not sure how I’m going to make the target lap time for the tyres pushing like this,” says Russell.
Max Verstappen maintains 1.5 second lead (Lap 8/63)
14:13
,
Kieran Jackson
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:
14:11
,
Kieran Jackson
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!
14:09
,
Kieran Jackson
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!
14:05
,
Kieran Jackson
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!
14:01
,
Kieran Jackson
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:
13:58
,
Kieran Jackson
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!
13:57
,
Kieran Jackson
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!
13:55
,
Kieran Jackson
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!
Brazil legend Ronaldo on the grid in Imola!
13:52
,
Kieran Jackson
"I remember you many times"
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) May 18, 2025
"No, you don't!"
Two legends on the Imola grid: Ted and Ronaldo! ⚽️ ️ pic.twitter.com/BrILzIIdn7
Time for the Italian national anthem!
13:45
,
Kieran Jackson
One of the great national anthems of the world being played in Imola!
Ferrari legend Jean Alesi, on rumours this will be the last race at Imola:
13:42
There is a lot of rumours, important to understand the drivers - they love this place.
“Hopefully it'll continue.”
McLaren boss Zak Brown:
13:40
,
Kieran Jackson
“Oscar is very prepared, he’s got his gameplan, so does Lando - I think it’ll be a great race, I like our chances.
“I think it’s a one-stop race, but we’ll have to see - we’re prepared for both.”
Piastri P1; Norris P4.
Imola GP preview: Meet the brain behind McLaren’s F1 rocketship – with rivals playing catch-up in Imola
13:36
,
Kieran Jackson
On a weekend where fanatical home supporters will bask under the Imola sunshine on the hills surrounding this gloriously old-school circuit, desperate to see their beloved Ferrari outfit turn a corner, it is in fact an Italian donning papaya who is brimming with glee amid his team’s current dominance of Formula One.
Andrea Stella, the ex-Ferrari engineer now thriving in his role as McLaren team principal, is usually talkative. A deeply respected presence in the paddock, the 54-year-old is candid and uninhibited in his analysis and opinions. Friday’s FIA press conference was no different.
Full preview below:
State of play in the drivers' championship heading into this race!
13:30
,
Kieran Jackson
4. George Russell – 93 points
5. Charles Leclerc – 53 points
6. Kimi Antonelli – 48 points
8. Alex Albon – 30 points
9. Esteban Ocon – 14 points
10. Lance Stroll – 14 points
12. Pierre Gasly – 7 points
13. Carlos Sainz – 7 points
14. Nico Hulkenberg – 6 points
15. Ollie Bearman – 6 points
16. Isack Hadjar – 5 points
17. Fernando Alonso – 0 points
18. Liam Lawson – 0 points
19. Jack Doohan – 0 points
20. Gabriel Bortoleto – 0 points
Drivers parade!
13:22
,
Kieran Jackson
Here are some shots of the drivers' parade in Imola earlier!
FEATURE: Welcome to Maranello, Ferrari’s hometown where history weighs heavy on F1’s greatest team
13:15
,
Kieran Jackson
Ahead of Ferrari’s home race in Imola, I spent a day in Maranello, the famous prancing horse emblem at every turn, dissecting the prestige of the Italian marque in contrast to the flaws of the present-day F1 team:
Read below:
Lando Norris steps away from social media
13:07
,
Kieran Jackson
“Yeah, I’ve not been on social media for a few weeks now,” Norris said at Imola.
“It’s just not something I enjoy. I don’t need to, it’s my life, I can do what I like.
“I enjoy not going on my phone as much as I used to. I mean, I still use my phone and I am still texting my friends, all these things.
“But I just see social media, from my perspective, more of a waste of my time and energy and I just don’t need that, don’t want it.”
Lewis Hamilton ‘devastated’ after Ferrari qualifying failure at Imola GP
12:59
,
Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton admitted he was “devastated” after suffering another blow in his first season at Ferrari, who suffered a new low in a captivating qualifying session at the Emilia Romagna GP.
Hamilton, who admitted this week he wasn’t expecting his first season at Ferrari to be so “tough”, and teammate Charles Leclerc missed the opportunity to fight for pole in Imola, with both drivers knocked out of contention in Q2.
The pair will start alongside each other on the grid for Sunday’s race, with Leclerc a place ahead in 11th and Hamilton in 12th.
Full report below:
WATCH: Kimi Antonelli's reaction to Lewis Hamilton's message in Mercedes motorhome
12:52
,
Kieran Jackson
When leaving Mercedes last season, Hamilton left a handwritten note for his replacement in the Mercedes motorhome.
At the first European race of the season, the 18-year-old read the private note for the first time!
Here's the state of play in the constructors' championship!
12:45
,
Kieran Jackson
1. McLaren - 246 points
2. Mercedes - 141 points
3. Red Bull - 105 points
4. Ferrari - 94 points
5. Williams - 37 points
6. Haas - 20 points
7. Aston Martin - 14 points
8. Racing Bulls - 8 points
9. Alpine - 7 points
10. Sauber - 6 points
What is the starting grid?
12:15
,
Kieran Jackson
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
Lewis Hamilton ‘devastated’ after Ferrari qualifying failure at Imola GP
12:00
,
Mike Jones
Lewis Hamilton was “devastated” after suffering another blow in his first season at Ferrari during a captivating qualifying session at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix on Saturday.
Hamilton, who admitted this week he wasn’t expecting his first season at Ferrari to be so “tough”, and teammate Charles Leclerc missed the opportunity to fight for pole in Imola, with both drivers knocked out of contention in Q2.
The pair will start alongside each other on the grid for Sunday’s race, with Leclerc a place ahead in 11th and Hamilton in 12th.
NEW: Yuki Tsunoda starts in pit-lane
11:30
,
Kieran Jackson
Inevitably, the Red Bull driver will start in the pits after his massive crash yesterday, with his car needing a massive rebuild job overnight.
A new chassis and new engine for Tsunoda.
Lewis Hamilton after qualifying 12th:
11:01
,
Mike Jones
“Tough one, tough one,” said Hamilton, who has only managed one top-five finish in the first six races of the season.
“Ultimately, I feel super gutted, devastated, that we weren’t able to get through. I really feel we’ve made many positive steps over the weekend.
“When we put the new tyres on, we didn’t have any more grip, couldn’t go any faster, everyone else managed to switch on the tyres.
“To be in front of the Italian fans, first time for Ferrari, to not manage to get to Q3 is bittersweet.”
Lando Norris admits he's making too many mistakes
10:02
,
Mike Jones
After finishing P4 in qualifying, Norris said: "I made a lot of mistakes, it is just never good enough in my final lap in qualifying.
"Everyone always goes quicker, and I go slower, so it is just not good enough. [There is nothing wrong] with the car, it is on pole and the best car on track.
"I am not