Max Verstappen took an emphatic victory at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix 2025, held at the historic Imola circuit. The Dutch driver, starting from second position, made a decisive move at the first corner to overtake poleman Oscar Piastri and take the lead of the race. From then on, Verstappen maintained a relentless pace, masterfully managing the two safety car interventions and his rivals’ strategies to secure his second win of the season and fourth in a row at this track. This victory not only strengthens his position in the championship fight, but also coincides with Red Bull’s 400th race in Formula 1, marking a significant milestone for the team.
Verstappen’s performance at Imola demonstrates his ability to adapt and overcome challenges, especially in a season where Red Bull has faced ups and downs in car performance. With the win, the Dutchman’s 65th win in the category equals Michael Schumacher’s number of podium finishes with a single team. He also closes the gap in the overall standings, 22 points behind leader Oscar Piastri.
McLaren secures double podium finish, but strategic tensions arise
McLaren consolidated its position as a title contender with a solid double podium finish at Imola. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri finished second and third respectively, demonstrating the competitive performance of the MCL39. However, the race was not without internal controversy. Piastri, who started from pole position, was overtaken by Verstappen at the start and then by team-mate Norris in the closing laps, after a strategy that favoured the Briton on fresher tyres.
Position management between the two drivers generated criticism of the team for failing to implement orders that could have maximised the chances of victory. Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve described McLaren’s strategy as weak and passive, suggesting that the lack of firm decisions could compromise its title aspirations. Despite this, Piastri retains the championship lead with 146 points, closely followed by Norris on 133 and Verstappen on 124.
Intense duel in the middle
The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix 2025 offered mixed performances from the mid-grid contenders. Lewis Hamilton stood out as he came from 12th on the grid to finish fourth, his best result with Ferrari to date. His performance included key overtakes and effective strategy, demonstrating his adaptation to the Italian team and his determination to reach the podium.
Carlos Sainz, also with Ferrari, had a solid race, finishing eighth. Despite a contact with Yuki Tsunoda that compromised his strategy, Sainz managed to score valuable points for the team at his home circuit.
Fernando Alonso faced a difficult day for Aston Martin. After starting from fifth position, a combination of poor strategy and lack of pace relegated him to eleventh, dropping him out of the points. Alonso expressed his frustration at the poor fortune during the race.
