Max Verstappen delivered a stunning and somewhat surprising victory at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix on 18 May, turning a weekend that began with low expectations into a triumphant one for both himself and Red Bull Racing.
Coming into Imola, Verstappen and Red Bull weren’t confident about their competitiveness. Early sessions were underwhelming, with the car struggling for responsiveness on the circuit’s tight and demanding layout. However, qualifying brought a turnaround, as Verstappen found strong single-lap pace, securing a front-row starting position.
Verstappen admitted afterward that before the weekend, he had “little hope” of winning. But once the car’s pace improved from qualifying onward, he grew more optimistic. His race start was aggressive and decisive—he executed a bold late-braking move on pole-sitter Oscar Piastri early on, taking the lead and setting the pace. Despite a mid-race safety car that erased his lead, Verstappen kept calm and controlled the race well.
Lando Norris advanced to second place late in the race by passing Piastri, but neither McLaren driver could seriously threaten Verstappen’s lead. Strategic decisions were also crucial: while several contenders, including Piastri, pitted early for hard tyres, Verstappen stayed out longer on mediums. This choice paid off thanks to a well-timed Virtual Safety Car on Lap 29, caused by Esteban Ocon’s retirement, allowing Verstappen to pit with minimal time loss and retain a strong lead.
This win marked Verstappen’s second of the season and a milestone for Red Bull—their 400th Grand Prix start culminated in victory. The result also tightened the drivers’ championship race, cutting Verstappen’s deficit to leader Norris to just nine points, with Piastri four points further back.
Verstappen himself was surprised by the result, having arrived in Italy with low expectations. But the combination of an improving car, sharp racecraft, and smart tactics gave him a crucial 25 points and momentum as the season progresses.
