Imola, Italy, 19 May 2025 (dpa/MIA) - Four-time defending champion Max Verstappen beat top favourites McLaren to win his second Formula One race of the season at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Italy on Saturday.

The win for the Red Bull driver ended Oscar Piastri's run of three consecutive victories and the championship leader had to settle for third. McLaren team-mate Lando Norris was ahead of him in second.

"Incredibly proud of everyone, the car has performed well and the execution of the whole race was very good," Verstappen said

Verstappen's last win had been at the Japanese Grand Prix in April. Piastri has won four races this year, while Norris took victory once.

Piastri leads the drivers' championship with 146 points, 13 ahead of Norris and 22 ahead of Verstappen in third.

The race

Polesitter Piastri had a good start to initially retain his lead, while Verstappen struggled and almost lost his second place to the Mercedes of George Russell.

But while Piastri lost momentum, Verstappen got rid of Russell and made a fantastic move still in the first lap to overtake the McLaren driver into Turn 2.

"Just braked too early, it was a good move by Max as well. Disappointing obviously, and then we made a few wrong calls after that. Not our best Sunday," Piastri said after the race.

Russell remained third, but lost his position to Norris on lap 11.

Piastri was the first to take a fresh set of tyres, but it was a slow pit stop and returned in 12th.

While Piastri made his way back to the front of the grid, Norris made his first stop on lap 29 and shortly before the virtual safety car was deployed because Esteban Ocon stopped his Alpine on the side of the track.

That was good for Verstappen, who was yet to pit and retained his lead.

A full safety car was deployed on lap 46 after Kimi Antonelli stopped his Mercedes by the side of the track with an issue.

Both Verstappen and Norris pitted, while Piastri refrained from doing so as he would drop some places.

The restart came on lap 54, but Verstappen had no issues to defend himself from the McLarens and cruise to his fourth consecutive victory at Imola.

"It was a long race, not easy to overtake but we did what we could. Max drove a good race, they were quick today - probably a little quicker," Norris said.

The rest of the top 10

The best Ferrari could offer to their home fans was a fourth place to Lewis Hamilton, while Charles Leclerc was sixth. Williams, meanwhile, will be pleased with Alex Albon's performance to finish fifth.

Russell was seventh, followed by Carlos Sainz in the other Williams. Rookie Isack Hadjar of Racing Bulls and Yuki Tsunoda in the second Red Bull completed the top 10.

The glamorous Monaco Grand Prix on May 25 is next on the F1 schedule.

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