Verstappen takes commanding win at Imola - 2025 Emilia Romagna GP results

Max Verstappen took a commanding victory in Formula 1’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, beating McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

The world champion finished over six seconds ahead of Norris after a safety car period erased a gap of nearly 20 seconds for the Dutchman.

Despite the late restart, Verstappen continued to dominate and proved unreachable for the McLarens. It was Verstappen’s fourth win at Imola.

Norris finished second after overtaking Piastri following the safety car, the championship leader enduring a difficult day after having to pit earlier than his rivals and then being on the back foot most of the race.

Lewis Hamilton recovered to fourth in the first Ferrari, with team-mate Charles Leclerc in sixth behind the Williams of Alexander Albon.

Mercedes endured a tough day, George Russell being its only finisher in seventh. Carlos Sainz completed a double-points finish for Williams in eighth, ahead of Isack Hadjar and Yuki Tsunoda.

Piastri and Verstappen made similar starts, but the Australian stayed on the inside going into the first chicane to defend from Russell. Verstappen took the opportunity and pulled a sensational pass on Piastri, leaving his braking super late, launching his Red Bull around the outside of the chicane to emerge in the lead.

Pierre Gasly was involved in the first incident of the race when he went off the track while defending from Leclerc. The Alpine driver managed to return to the track, but losing several positions, dropping from ninth to 14th.

Piastri was the first of the leaders to pit as he was struggling with his medium tyres, the Australian switching to hard tyre many laps before his rivals.

Verstappen pitted on lap 30 and was helped massively by a virtual safety car period triggered by Esteban Ocon, which allowed the Red Bull driver to gain an extra 10 seconds over Piastri and Norris, the Briton having pitted right before the VSC was deployed.

Verstappen had a 20-second lead over Piastri, who pitted for the second time under the VSC for a new set of hard tyres, dropping from second to fourth behind Norris and Albon.

A full safety car was deployed on lap 46 when Kimi Antonelli retired with a problem on his Mercedes, the Italian stopping close to the same spot where Ocon had parked his car earlier on, an incident which race direction had cleared with a virtual safety car.

Verstappen had an 18-second gap over Norris when the safety car was sent out. Both drivers used the SC period to pit for another set of hard tyres, Verstappen keeping his lead, but Norris dropping to third behind Piastri.

The race was restarted after several laps, Verstappen easily opening a gap to Piastri and Norris. The Briton, on fresher tyres, was able to move ahead of the Australian at the Villeneuve chicane with five laps to go and with 5.4 seconds to Verstappen.

The Red Bull driver had to problem keeping his rivals at bay, increasing his lead to six seconds by the chequered flag.

The victory allowed Verstappen to close the gap on championship leader Piastri to 22 points.

2025 Emilia Romagna GP results