MOTORSPORT: Verstappen wins Emilia Romagna GP

Max Verstappen returned to the top step of the Formula 1 podium at Imola’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix yesterday, but Lando Norris once again demonstrated that McLaren has the pace to take it up to the Red Bulls following his breakthrough win last time out in Miami.

For the third race in a row, the combination of Verstappen and Norris registered a one-two finish, with the highlight of the GP being a late charge by Norris to close within a second of the Dutchman at the chequered flag.

Verstappen’s third consecutive win at Imola matches Michael Schumacher’s record at the famed venue, with the success being the 59th of his career.

“I think the whole race I had to push flat-out to try and make a gap initially,” said Verstappen.

“I think on the medium tyres we were quite strong, [but] on the hard tyres it was just a bit more difficult to manage, especially in the last 10, 15 laps.

“I had no grip anymore, I was really sliding a lot. I saw Lando closing in, so the last 10 laps, I was just flat-out.

“It’s very difficult when the tyres are not working anymore, and you have to go flat-out.

“I couldn't afford to make too many mistakes; luckily, we didn’t, and super happy of course to win here today.”

From the race start, the grid order remained static, with Verstappen leading from Norris, Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) and Oscar Piastri (McLaren) in fifth, where he started the race.

The Aussie received a three-place grid penalty after impeding Kevin Magnussen’s Haas during the first leg of Saturday’s qualifying.

The first major drama of the race came when Alex Albon pitted his Williams on lap eight. The crew did not fasten the right front tyre properly, with the Thai driver subsequently being a non-finisher.

On lap 17 of 63, Sergio Perez lost time by running wide through the gravel trap at Rivazza, while nine laps later, Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) had a similar off at Acque Minerali and continued.

Next up on lap 47, Lerclerc shortcut the Variante Alta chicane, losing ground in his pursuit of Norris.

The main fight of the race then came down to the two leaders, with Norris closing rapidly on Verstappen in the closing stages as the duo pushed the limits.

Ultimately at the chequered flag, the Brit fell short by only 0.725sec.

Third place went to Lerclerc from Piastri, Sainz, Hamilton, George Russell (Mercedes), Perez, who dropped to third in the driver’s standings, with the points finishers rounded out by Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) and Yuki Tsunoda (RB).

Elsewhere, Daniel Ricciardo (RB) was classified 13th after dropping back from ninth on the grid, while Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) was a late retirement after a difficult weekend that featured a crash in free practice three.

Formula 1 returns next weekend with the 81st running of the Monaco Grand Prix.

2024 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix results:

2024 Formula 1 championship standings:

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