Imola Grand Prix 2025: Verstappen Claims Victory as H…read more
The 2025 Imola Grand Prix delivered a thrilling spectacle, as Max Verstappen claimed a dominant victory while Lewis Hamilton staged an inspiring comeback drive to finish fourth, marking his best performance of the season. Despite McLaren showing strong form in recent races, their challenge fell short at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, where Verstappen showcased his trademark composure and strategic mastery.
Qualifying brought early surprises when both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc failed to advance to Q3. Starting deep in the midfield, Hamilton looked set for another underwhelming weekend. However, the seven-time world champion demonstrated his resilience and racecraft by climbing through the pack and finishing in P4, notably beating his Ferrari teammate Leclerc in front of the passionate tifosi. His late-race moves on Alex Albon and Leclerc during the final ten laps were highlights of an impressive resurgence.
Max Verstappen’s race began with a bold move on Oscar Piastri at Tamburello on the opening lap, seizing the lead with a well-timed overtake. From there, the Red Bull driver controlled proceedings with authority. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris attempted to counter Verstappen’s lead through strategic undercuts during the pit stop phase. Unfortunately, a sluggish stop cost Piastri valuable time, allowing Verstappen to consolidate his lead.
Compounding McLaren’s woes, a virtual safety car (VSC) was triggered when Esteban Ocon’s Haas came to a halt on the grass. Verstappen, yet to pit, capitalized perfectly by making his stop under VSC conditions. This move allowed him to retain track position and extend a formidable 18-second lead by Lap 45, leaving the McLarens trailing in his wake.
The race took another dramatic turn on Lap 46, when Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli pulled over due to an engine issue, bringing out a full safety car. This neutralized Verstappen’s lead and set up a thrilling 10-lap sprint to the finish. Despite the pressure, Verstappen remained unfazed and executed a flawless restart. While Norris and Piastri jostled for position behind him, Verstappen extended his lead and cruised to victory, reaffirming his dominance in the championship.
Hamilton’s performance became one of the main talking points of the weekend. Starting from outside the top ten, he carved his way through the field with clinical overtakes and strong race pace. His P4 finish was not only a testament to his enduring skill but also a much-needed boost for Ferrari, who had a mixed weekend with Leclerc finishing sixth. Hamilton’s spirited drive was dedicated to the home fans at Imola, adding emotional weight to his achievement.
Elsewhere on the grid, Alex Albon impressed with a solid P5 for Williams, holding off Leclerc and George Russell. Williams teammate Carlos Sainz secured P8, further demonstrating the team’s progress. Isack Hadjar and Yuki Tsunoda rounded out the top ten, with Tsunoda now driving for Red Bull.
There were also moments of misfortune. Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin caught fire briefly in the pits due to brake issues, though he continued and finished 11th. Kimi Antonelli and Esteban Ocon were the race’s only retirements, both failing to complete the race due to mechanical issues.
Max Verstappen, the reigning four-time world champion, now looks poised to extend his championship lead. Notably, the 2025 season has seen a key rule change: the fastest lap point has been removed. This decision came after strategic manipulation in previous seasons, most notably Daniel Ricciardo’s fastest lap in his final race in 2024, which controversially impacted the title battle.
With drama, strategy, and stellar performances, the 2025 Imola Grand Prix delivered an unforgettable chapter in the F1 season.
