Supreme Verstappen defeats McLaren, wins Red Bull’s 400th GP

Max Verstappen returned to winning ways at Imola with a commanding performance at the 2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, securing Red Bull's second win of the season and snapping McLaren’s winning streak.

The Dutchman overcame polesitter Oscar Piastri with a daring move into the first corner and managed the race through two key safety car interventions to claim victory.

From fourth on the grid, Lando Norris fought back to claim second, passing Piastri in the closing stages of the race while relying on a fresher set of hard compound tyres.

Early Moves and Safety Car Drama

Verstappen’s audacious start saw him seize the lead, leaving Piastri to strategize from second. The Australian, eyeing a one-stop race, pitted early on lap 14, swapping mediums for hards.

George Russell, starting third for Mercedes, also stopped early, freeing Norris into clean air, 10 seconds behind Verstappen.

But Red Bull’s tyre wear proved surprisingly robust, with the four-time world champion losing just two to three tenths per lap to Norris—too little to threaten the former’s lead.

However, a virtual safety car (VSC) on lap 29, triggered by Esteban Ocon’s stranded Haas, flipped the script. Verstappen, yet to pit, gained a massive advantage, while Norris, who had pitted the previous lap, saw his gap to the leader balloon to 20 seconds.

Williams’ Alex Albon also capitalized on the circumstances, leaping to third ahead of Piastri.

The race’s second twist came on lap 47 when Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes retired from eighth, prompting a full safety car. Verstappen and Norris pitted for fresh hards, but Piastri stayed out, briefly splitting the pair.

When racing resumed on lap 54, Norris swiftly dispatched Piastri on fresher tyres to secure second, but Verstappen was untouchable, cruising to victory. Piastri settled for third, maintaining his championship lead—13 points ahead of Norris and 22 over Verstappen.

Ferrari’s Fightback and Aston Martin’s Gamble

The Ferraris delivered a gritty performance after a dismal qualifying left Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton 11th and 12th. Leclerc initially lost out under the first VSC but benefited from the full safety car later.

He muscled his way to fifth on worn tyres, controversially forcing Albon off track, only to be ordered to relinquish the position and settle for sixth.

Hamilton, more patient in his approach, overtook Leclerc and inherited fifth following the penalty order, while Albon recovered to a well-earned fourth for Williams.

George Russell, hurt by Mercedes' high tyre degradation and a poorly timed early pit stop, faded down the order, while Carlos Sainz salvaged eighth, just behind him.

Isack Hadjar impressed with a measured drive to ninth for Racing Bulls, while Yuki Tsunoda made a one-stop strategy work to take the final point in 10th after a heavy crash in qualifying.

Unfortunately, Aston Martin’s bold qualifying strategy proved costly in the end, as Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll lacked the tyre sets needed to capitalize during the safety car periods and fell out of the points.

Despite Verstappen’s win, Piastri retains the championship lead, 13 points ahead of Norris and 22 clear of Verstappen.

With the season now in full swing, Red Bull’s resurgence and McLaren’s consistency suggest a thrilling title battle lies ahead, starting next week in Monaco.

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