Skip to main content
Gifts from The Morning Star
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.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
England's Leah Williamson reacts following a women's international friendly match at the King Power Stadium, Leicester, June 29, 2025
Women’s football / 4 July 2025
4 July 2025

Wiegman hints Chelsea forward James could be more involved against France

Daniel Evans (right) after his defeat to Novak Djokovic on day four of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London. Picture date: Thursday July 3, 2025
Men’s Tennis / 3 July 2025
3 July 2025
Similar stories
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia steers his car out of garage during the second free practice ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix Formula One race at the Barcelona Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, near Barcelona, Spain, May 30, 2025
Formula One / 30 May 2025
30 May 2025
Formula One / 13 September 2024
13 September 2024
McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain (left) leads the fiel
Formula One / 2 September 2024
2 September 2024