Max Verstappen celebrated at the historic Italian circuit of the Enzo and Dino Ferrari racetrack. Photo: ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / AFP.
The Formula 1 champion is back. Dutch Max Verstappen (Red Bull) closed out the perfect weekend in Italy by wins end to end ang Emilia Romagna Grand Prixwatched by his Mexican ally Sergio Perezwho withstood the onslaught of Monegasque Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), who strayed from the finish line and finished sixth, losing important positions as championship leader.
At the historic Imola circuit, under the constant threat of rain that has complicated the teams ’strategies, Verstappen He closed the task he built through success in the first sprint of the season, which allowed him to gain pole position, and that he even closed by taking a lap ahead of Lewis Hamilton, frustrated with riding his Mercedes. The British lando norris (McLaren) closed the podium.
The podium of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix included Verstappen, Pérez and Norris. Photo: REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane.
In fourth place the British finished George Russell (Mercedes), followed by Finnish Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo), Leclercthe Japanese yuki tsunoda (Alpha Tauri), German Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin), Danish Kevin Magnussen (Haas) and Canadian Lance Stroll (Aston Martin).
Wet track conditions due to rain that fell two hours before the start of the fourth round of the calendar forced teams to start on the intermediate wheel and change some techniques.
In fact, in the first corner, the abandonment of Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) as the victim of Daniel Ricciardo’s McLaren engagement, imposed a quick safety vehicle entry, with the Red Bulls already in the lead, as Checo Pérez was ahead of Leclerc.
And it was a trio that wouldn’t move until the last thirteen laps of the race, outside the entrance to the pits to change tires, when the Imola asphalt dried up.
In Mexican custody, Verstappen managed the efforts, accelerated to make the fastest lap and his advantage was never in jeopardy.
Leclerc is mourning after the race at Imola. Photo: REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini.
The Monegasque Leclerc did not find a way to take second place from the Mexican, even if he closes the gap until less than a second is between him.
So he sought to change the tire, which more than helped him, ended up condemning him. Because Monegasque stepped on the “little piano” and make a roundwhich although it did not remove him from the race, finished in sixth place.
In any case, Leclerc remains at the top of the Drivers ’World Championship with the 86 pointsbut Max Verstappen jumped to second position with 59 units. Sergio Pérez eliminated Carlos Sainz from third place by reaching 54 points.
Source: Clarin