Verstappen Triumphs in Turbulent Emilia Romagna GP as Norris Outpaces Piastri.

Max Verstappen delivered a flawless performance to win a chaotic Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, with Lando Norris edging out McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri for second place.

Starting from second on the grid, Verstappen pulled off a bold move around the outside of pole-sitter Piastri at the opening chicane, taking the lead and never looking back. He controlled the race from the front, maintaining a strong pace until a late Safety Car bunched up the field. But even in the final 10-lap sprint, Verstappen quickly reasserted his dominance to secure Red Bull’s win in their 400th race.

Norris, benefitting from fresher tyres, overtook Piastri for second, with the latter’s race compromised by an early pit stop that left him stuck in traffic. That strategy misstep cost Piastri his shot at a fourth straight victory.

As a result, Piastri’s championship lead over Norris is cut to 13 points, with Verstappen now just 22 points behind in third. McLaren, however, extended their Constructors’ Championship advantage to 132 points.

Verstappen commented on his race-winning move: “The start wasn’t ideal, but I was on the outside and thought I’d just go for it it worked well. Once in front, I could manage the tyres. The car was great today.”

 

Hamilton Shines for Ferrari; Albon Claims Top Five

Lewis Hamilton impressed with a strong comeback drive from 12th to finish fourth in his first Ferrari race on Italian soil. He took advantage of both the Safety Car and earlier Virtual Safety Car periods to make key overtakes in the final laps.

Alex Albon finished fifth after Charles Leclerc, under investigation for forcing the Williams off-track, let him by on the last lap to avoid a post-race penalty.

George Russell, who started third, faded to seventh due to a strategy misstep, while Mercedes’ afternoon worsened when rookie Kimi Antonelli retired with a throttle issue in his home debut.

Carlos Sainz claimed eighth, helping Williams strengthen their fifth-place hold in the Constructors’ standings.

Rookie Isack Hadjar continued to impress, taking ninth for Racing Bulls. Yuki Tsunoda, recovering from a pit-lane start following a qualifying crash, claimed the final point for Red Bull.

 

Verstappen’s Bold Start Sets the Tone

Despite Piastri leading from pole at a track where overtaking is notoriously tough, he left an opening as he focused on Russell. Verstappen seized the opportunity, braking later and sweeping around the outside at the chicane to grab the lead.

Piastri’s early stop on lap 13, triggered by Leclerc’s undercut threat, backfired as he rejoined in traffic. In contrast, Verstappen and Norris extended their stints, ultimately opting for a more effective one-stop strategy.

After Norris’ stop on lap 28, a Virtual Safety Car came out for Esteban Ocon’s stranded car, costing Norris time and allowing Verstappen to extend his lead.

Later, a full Safety Car on lap 46 caused by Antonelli’s retirement prompted Verstappen and Norris to pit for fresh tyres, while Piastri stayed out and temporarily regained second. But Norris, on fresher rubber, soon overtook him cleanly at the first chicane.

Verstappen then pulled away to win by six seconds, with Norris and Piastri completing the podium.

Piastri admitted, “I braked too early and Max made a good move. We made a few poor choices afterward. It wasn’t our best day.”

Further back, Hamilton took advantage of his new tyres to pass both Albon and Leclerc, who was instructed to return the place to Albon to avoid a penalty.

 

Emilia Romagna GP Result