F1 Round 7 - Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Review

May 19, 2025

The 2025 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola delivered a thrilling weekend of Formula 1 action, marked by strategic battles, standout performances, and a significant shift in the championship standings.

Qualifying: Piastri Claims Pole in Dramatic Session

On Saturday, Oscar Piastri secured pole position for McLaren with a stellar lap of 1:14.670, narrowly edging out Red Bull's Max Verstappen by just 0.034 seconds. Mercedes' George Russell completed the top three qualifiers. The session was eventful, featuring two red flags in Q1 due to incidents involving Yuki Tsunoda and Franco Colapinto, both of whom were unable to continue. Notably, both Ferrari drivers, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, were eliminated in Q2, qualifying 11th and 12th respectively.

Race Day: Verstappen Triumphs in Red Bull's 400th Grand Prix

Sunday's race saw Max Verstappen deliver a masterclass in racecraft, overtaking pole-sitter Piastri at the first corner and maintaining the lead throughout the 63-lap event. This victory marked Verstappen's second of the season and his 65th career win, coinciding with Red Bull Racing's 400th Formula 1 race.

McLaren's Lando Norris showcased impressive pace, overtaking teammate Piastri seven laps from the finish to secure second place. Piastri completed the podium in third, acknowledging a conservative approach at the start and missed strategic opportunities during safety car periods.

Lewis Hamilton delivered a standout performance for Ferrari, climbing from 12th on the grid to finish fourth, marking his best result of the season. Williams' Alex Albon impressed with a fifth-place finish, ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc in sixth. Mercedes' George Russell and Williams' Carlos Sainz rounded out the top eight.