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Verstappen wins Emilia Romagna GP after superb early move on Piastri
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands celebrates after winning the Italy's Emilia Romagna Formula One Grand Prix, in Imola, Italy, May 18, 2025

MAX VERSTAPPEN’S brilliant opening-corner move on Oscar Piastri fired him to victory at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix today.

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.

Ferrari recovered from a dismal qualifying – starting 11th and 12th – with Lewis Hamilton fourth in his first home race for the Scuderia and Charles Leclerc sixth.

Russell came home seventh for Mercedes.

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