Verstappen wins Imola GP 2025 as Ferrari bounce back at home

Max Verstappen returned to the top step of the podium with a commanding win at the 2025 Formula 1 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix on Monday morning (AEST), fending off the McLarens at Imola to reinvigorate his title defence.

After weeks of pressure from McLaren’s dynamic duo, the Red Bull ace produced a textbook drive from P2, converting a clean start and flawless strategy into 25 crucial points. Verstappen was paying $2.40 with BetOnline and never looked threatened over the 63-lap race.

Lando Norris finished just over six seconds behind, with Oscar Piastri claiming third. Another double-podium performance further strengthens McLaren’s lead in constructors’ standings, with Piastri and Norris sitting top two for drivers’ points.

Ferrari impressed at their home race with Lewis Hamilton finishing fourth, ahead of Alex Albon and Charles Leclerc. George Russell fell back to P7 after a sluggish middle stint, while Carlos Sainz, Isack Hadjar, and Yuki Tsunoda rounded out the top 10.

Kimi Antonelli’s Imola debut ended in disappointment after a mechanical failure, while Esteban Ocon also failed to finish in what has become a frustrating pattern for Haas.

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2025 Imola Grand Prix results

• Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) – 1:31:33.199
• Lando Norris (McLaren) – +6.109s
• Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – +12.956s
• Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – +14.356s
• Alexander Albon (Williams) – +17.945s
• Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – +20.774s
• George Russell (Mercedes) – +22.034s
• Carlos Sainz (Williams) – +22.898s
• Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – +23.586s
• Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull Racing) – +26.446s
• Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – +27.250s
• Nico Hulkenberg (Kick Sauber) – +30.296s
• Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – +31.424s
• Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – +32.511s
• Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – +32.993s
• Franco Colapinto (Alpine) – +33.411s
• Oliver Bearman (Haas) – +33.808s
• Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick Sauber) – +38.572s
• Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – DNF
• Esteban Ocon (Haas) – DNF

F1 Imola GP biggest winners

Max Verstappen – This was vintage Max — a flawless drive marked by clinical execution and race awareness. While well-timed safety cars certainly played in his favour, it doesn’t take away from his brilliant Turn 1 overtake on Oscar Piastri — the decisive move that ultimately earned him the win.

Lewis Hamilton – In front of the Ferrari faithful, the seven-time world champion delivered one of his most composed performances of the season. Finishing P4 and outpacing teammate Leclerc, Hamilton reminded everyone of his class with a controlled and confident drive.

Alex Albon – P5 in Imola is no small feat, and Albon continues to punch well above his weight in 2025. His composed drive adds to an impressive campaign, pushing Williams to 51 points — comfortably ahead of Haas and Aston Martin in the constructors’ standings. A breakout year is well and truly underway.

2025 F1 Imola GP’s biggest blunders

Kimi Antonelli – The young Italian had high hopes of delivering a memorable performance at his home Grand Prix, but it wasn’t to be. A mechanical failure brought his race to a cruel end, resulting in a DNF in front of family, friends, and the passionate Tifosi.

Yuki Tsunoda – After his Q1 crash forced a back-row start, Tsunoda was tasked with holding up Piastri to aid teammate Verstappen, but he failed to do so in under a lap. If the Japanese driver can’t consistently deliver in qualifying or execute key team strategies during the race, Red Bull may start looking seriously at Isack Hadjar as a potential replacement.

Franco Colapinto – The Argentine rookie made his F1 debut for Alpine but had a quiet outing, finishing P16. While it was a valuable learning experience, Colapinto will need to show more pace and presence if he’s to earn further opportunities at the top level.

2025 F1 Drivers’ Championship standings

• Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 146 points
• Lando Norris (McLaren) – 133 points
• Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) – 124 points
• George Russell (Mercedes) – 99 points
• Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 61 points
• Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 53 points
• Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 48 points
• Alexander Albon (Williams) – 40 points
• Esteban Ocon (Haas) – 14 points
• Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – 14 points
• Carlos Sainz (Williams) – 11 points
• Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull Racing) – 10 points
• Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 7 points
• Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 7 points
• Nico Hulkenberg (Kick Sauber) – 6 points
• Oliver Bearman (Haas) – 6 points
• Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 0 points
• Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – 0 points
• Jack Doohan (Alpine) – 0 points
• Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick Sauber) – 0 points
• Franco Colapinto (Alpine) – 0 points

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