Verstappen storms to victory at Imola ahead of McLaren duo

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen took a dominant victory in the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix founded on an audacious overtaking move on the first lap. The four-time champion passed pole-sitter Oscar Piastri’s McLaren around the outside of the first chicane after the start and controlled the race from there. A late safety car closed the field up and put the McLarens of Piastri and Lando Norris on Verstappen’s tail. But a consummate restart from Verstappen allowed him to break free while Norris fought for three laps before finally passing his teammate to take second.

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Piastri pips Verstappen to pole at Imola Quali

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri beat Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to pole position at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in a qualifying session that featured an enormous accident for Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda. Piastri edged Verstappen by 0.034 seconds despite encountering traffic in the final two corners and failing to improve his time in the final sector. Both Verstappen and McLaren’s Lando Norris fell short on their final laps, and the Briton was demoted to fourth by Mercedes’ George Russell.

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Alpine confirm Colapinto to replace Doohan for next five races

Argentine Franco Colapinto will drive for Alpine for the next five grands prix, replacing Jack Doohan. The team said in a statement that Colapinto, whom Alpine signed from Williams over the winter, would drive alongside Pierre Gasly from the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola on 16-18 May. There will then be a “new evaluation before the British Grand Prix”, which is on 4-6 July.

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Verstappen holds off Noris to win Emilia Romagna GP

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen held off a late charge from McLaren’s Lando Norris to win the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. The Dutchman, despite struggling with his tyres in the final part of the race, took his fifth victory in seven races this year to tighten his stranglehold on a fourth world title. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc comfortably beat McLaren’s Oscar Piastri for the final podium place to move into second in the championship, ahead of Verstappen’s team-mate Sergio Perez.

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Verstappen fends off McLaren duo for pole at Emilia Romagna Grand Prix

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen beat McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in a tight battle for pole position at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Verstappen was just 0.074 seconds quicker than Piastri, who pipped Norris by 0.017secs with the final lap of the session. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was fourth, 0.224secs behind Verstappen, but 0.263secs quicker than team-mate Carlos Sainz who is right behind him.

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