Max Verstappen delivered a superb victory at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix on Sunday, seizing the lead with a bold overtake on Oscar Piastri at the first corner and maintaining it to the finish, despite late-race drama caused by a safety car.
Piastri, who started on pole, initially held Verstappen at bay. But the reigning world champion used his trademark skill and aggression to go around the outside and snatch the lead early on.
Later in the race, Piastri also lost second place to teammate Lando Norris, who capitalized on fresher tires after the field closed up under the safety car.
Norris was unable to challenge Verstappen for the win, securing second ahead of Piastri as McLaren settled for a strong double podium behind Red Bull.
“The car performed really well, and the team executed everything perfectly,” Verstappen said after the race.
The race’s key moments included Verstappen’s daring overtake and two race interruptions—a virtual safety car at the halfway point and a full safety car with 17 laps to go.
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Key Race Moments and Safety Car Impact
The virtual safety car, caused by Esteban Ocon stopping on the grass beside the track due to an issue with his car, occurred at the best possible time for Verstappen – before he had pitted but after Piastri and Norris had pitted.
That stroke of fortune helped Verstappen build up a seemingly insurmountable lead which ballooned out to 18 seconds at one point.
Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, who eventually finished in fourth, was among those who profited from the virtual safety car too, much to the delight of the tifosi cheering him from the stands on home soil for the first time.
But, instead of settling into a procession to the finish for Verstappen, there was still time for some late drama.
Like Ocon, Andrea Kimi Antonelli was forced onto the grass by an issue with his car, but this time race organizers deployed a full safety car and Verstappen’s comfortable lead was erased.
He and Norris both took the opportunity to pit and maintain their positions, leaving the British driver in third still behind Piastri but on newer, faster tires than his teammate.
Race Restart and Championship Implications
By the time the race restarted, there were only nine laps remaining and Verstappen streaked away from both McLarens, Norris unable to catch the Dutchman once he had overtaken Piastri.
“Just braked too early, it was a good move by Max as well,” said Piastri, recalling Verstappen’s move on the first turn.
“Disappointing obviously, and then we made a few wrong calls after that. Not our best Sunday, lots to look at and review after that one. We’ll see what we can do a bit better.”
Even finishing third, Piastri maintained his position at the top of the drivers’ standings, though his cushion was cut to 13 points ahead of Norris with Verstappen now only nine points behind Norris.
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