Despite a late surge by Miami Grand Prix winner Lando Norris, Max Verstappen hung on to get back to his winning ways in Sunday’s Formula 1 event in the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
The Oracle Red Bull Racing driver scampered off to a large lead early in the race after starting from the pole position at Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari. However, a late charge from Norris aboard his McLaren made things interesting.
While Norris closed, a slight mistake was his demise as Verstappen crossed under the checkered flag 0.725 seconds ahead.
“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 tires we were quite strong, on the hards tires 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 tires 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.”
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc locked down the final podium position in third. McLaren driver Oscar Piastri placed fourth, ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz in fifth.
Mercedes had two drivers in the top 10 with Lewis Hamilton placing sixth and George Russell close behind in seventh.
Red Bull’s Sergio Perez rallied to place eighth after starting 11th on the grid. Lance Stroll and Yuki Tsunoda completed the points finishers.
Haas F-1 locked down 11th and 12th with Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen.
Fernando Alonso was one of two drivers to retire from the race after wheeling his Aston Martin toward the back of the field. Alex Albon also retired from the event.