F1 Imola 2025: Max Verstappen wins dramatic Emilia-Romagna GP, ranking Norris on the final lap; check final ranking

Max Verstappen won his 59th career victory by winning the 2025 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola. Starting from pole position, Verstappen led most of the 63 laps in the final lap, but faced strong tire degradation. Norris closed the gap, but had no time to pass. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc ranked third, providing some cheers for home fans. Oscar Piastri was fourth, while Carlos Sainz was top five. Mercedes drivers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton ranked sixth and seventh.
The race is strategic, with most drivers opting for a medium-sized tire strategy. Verstappen built an early gap, but struggled in the latter part, especially after his pit stop. Norris later fell into trouble and he benefited from fresh tires. Despite nearly two seconds in the lap near the end, the British were unable to move ahead of the finish line.

Starting second place Piastri won a territorial free throw after qualifying for Kevin Magnussen and had to start from the fifth, which gave him a better podium.
It was also a tough game for Sergio Pérez, who was only out of the top ten after he collapsed in the qualifying round. He ended the eighth place, limiting his points and allowing Leclerc to move forward in the standings.

Updated F1 driver ranking (top 5):

1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 161 points
2. Charles Lake Ferrari – 113 points
3. Sergio Pérez (Red Bull) – 107 points
4. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 101 points
5. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) – 93 points

Key points:

Verstappen’s fifth victory in seven games underscores Red Bull’s continued dominance in the sport. McLaren became a serious contender for the podium, while Ferrari remained consistent but still lagged behind the original speed. Mercedes, on the other hand, faces challenges in both the pace of the game and in the qualifying round.

The next match is the Monaco Grand Prix from May 25 to 26, and precision and strategy will once again be crucial.