Max Verstappen firmly reasserted his dominance in the Formula 1 championship by ending Oscar Piastri’s three-race winning streak at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. Verstappen executed a bold overtaking manoeuvre on Piastri at the race’s commencement, paving the way for his victory and providing a significant boost to his title defence with his second win of the season.
Piastri and his McLaren teammate, Lando Norris, struggled to match the pace of Verstappen’s Red Bull thereafter. Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 F1 champion, was highly critical of McLaren’s strategy during the race. He suggested that the team should have instructed Piastri to allow Norris to pass towards the end of the race, particularly during a Virtual Safety Car period, to enhance their chances against Verstappen.
Villeneuve lamented that McLaren appeared hesitant to show the determination necessary for winning the drivers’ championship, suggesting they seemed comfortable with finishing second and third instead of aiming for victory. Piastri admitted to making a mistake at the first corner, allowing Verstappen the opportunity to take the lead, stating he “braked too early.”
Despite Verstappen building a substantial lead, the race took a dramatic turn with the introduction of a safety car. However, he held his ground, ultimately finishing ahead of Norris, who edged past Piastri for second place in the closing laps. Verstappen celebrated his fourth consecutive win at Imola, praising his team’s performance as they marked their 400th race in F1.
Verstappen reflected on his successful overtaking move, noting that starting from the outside line allowed him to seize the moment. Meanwhile, Norris acknowledged the competitive spirit during his late-race battle with Piastri but admitted that Verstappen’s team was simply “too good” on the day.
Following this race, Piastri’s lead over Norris in the standings diminished to 13 points, with Verstappen now just nine points behind Norris. As the season progresses, Verstappen’s victory serves as a reminder that he isn’t prepared to relinquish his championship title without a fight.