Red Bull's Verstappen Wins Emilia Romagna GP, Eyes Monaco Next

Max Verstappen delivers a dominant performance at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, securing his fourth consecutive win at Imola and extending his lead.

Max Verstappen expressed immense pride after delivering a dominant performance at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, defying predictions of a McLaren victory. The Red Bull driver showcased his team's speed and racing prowess, securing his fourth consecutive win at Imola and his second victory this season. This impressive result marked the 65th win of Verstappen's career and came at a significant milestone for Red Bull – their 400th race.

VERSTAPPEN WINS THE EMILIA ROMAGNA GRAND PRIX!! 🏆

A champion’s drive from Max 💪#F1 #ImolaGP pic.twitter.com/Ey20FJsoyg

— Formula 1 (@F1) May 18, 2025

Verstappen's triumph served as a strong response to critics who believe Red Bull's performance is waning. Despite forecasts favoring McLaren, Verstappen and his team demonstrated their skill and dominance, proving they remain a formidable force in Formula 1. The win not only highlighted Verstappen's exceptional driving abilities but also showcased the team's strategic prowess and overall strength.

Max Verstappen's teammate, Sergio Pérez, finished behind Lando Norris of McLaren in a tight battle, while championship leader Oscar Piastri secured third place in the second McLaren. Lewis Hamilton, driving for Ferrari, showed a resurgence in form to finish ahead of other contenders.

“I am incredibly proud of everyone,” Verstappen said after the race. “It's been a very important week for us, and the car has performed really well – and, also, I think the execution of the whole race was really good.” Verstappen's comments reflected his satisfaction with the team's strong performance and strategic execution during the event.

Max Verstappen attributed his success to a bold move at the first corner of the opening lap, which caught Oscar Piastri off guard and allowed him to take the lead. This decisive maneuver set him up for a commanding victory. The race featured two safety car periods, which Verstappen utilized to his advantage, saving 10 seconds during his pit stops.

“It wasn't particularly a great start, but I was still on the normal line and I thought I'd try and send it round the outside and it worked really well,” Verstappen said, reflecting on his daring pass at Tamburello that surprised Piastri, who had started from pole position. This strategic move ultimately paved the way for his dominant win.

“That then unleashed our pace because once we were in the lead, the car was good and I could look after my tyres - we had very good pace today.

“It's a massive improvement from Friday and I'm very pleased for that.

“That virtual safety car was quite handy for me to pit and even on the hard compound our pace was very strong, but then there was a safety car so the field was back together.

“Even on the restart we managed it really well and brought it home.”

That Max Verstappen move from onboard 😮‍💨

The reigning champ gets a DREAM start at Imola!#F1 #ImolaGP pic.twitter.com/zvIUuqXXxA

— Formula 1 (@F1) May 18, 2025

With the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix behind him, Max Verstappen is now focused on the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix, the second leg of a demanding triple header. Having previously won in Monaco in 2021 and 2023, Verstappen will aim to add another victory to his tally in the principality.

“I like driving and racing in Formula One,” Verstappen said, expressing his enthusiasm for the sport as he looks forward to the challenges of the Monaco circuit. The tight and iconic streets of Monaco will undoubtedly test Verstappen's skills once again.

“It's always fantastic to be in Italy,” he said.

“A proper passion for motorsport so it's fantastic to see all these fans out here the whole weekend. So thank you for coming to support all the drivers.”

Max Verstappen reflected on the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, expressing his contentment with the win. However, he's aware that the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix will be a different story, with its unique track characteristics posing new challenges.

“Next week it's a completely different kind of track in Monaco and that's also going to be very challenging, but for the moment I just want to enjoy today and take it in,” Verstappen said, choosing to savor the moment rather than look ahead. He also appreciated racing in Imola, a stronghold of Ferrari passion, and hopes the circuit will remain on the F1 calendar beyond its current contract.