Formula 1: Max Verstappen wins the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, Hamilton in second: Max Verstappen won the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in an incident packed race. Such was the race, that even great Lewis Hamilton’s hopes fell to pieces with a highly uncharacteristic error.
In tricky wet and then drying conditions Verstappen delivered a masterclass of control while in stark contrast the world champion crashed out but was then able to deliver a superb recovery to comeback to second place. Lando Norris was superb to take third for McLaren, Charles Leclerc was in fourth for Ferrari and his teammate Carlos Sainz in fifth.
Formula 1: Max Verstappen wins the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton in second: The Red Bull driver, flawless today, sailed over the finish line 22 secs ahead of Hamilton.
Hamilton had started from pole although he lost the lead to Verstappen at turn one, the pair were locked in a mighty struggle from then on to the mid-point of the race when an unlikely unforced error put Hamilton off at the Tosa corner. A moment of exceptionally rare weakness on behalf of the world champion. He came back to fight on but the race belonged to the Dutchman who had not put a foot wrong. Hamilton still leads the world championship by just one point from Verstappen
The race was suspended after Bottas & Russell suffered huge crash. Hamilton recovered to second after spin.
“It was very challenging out there, especially the beginning. I think we managed everything well, despite the small moment at my restart. It’s a long season, got to stay calm!”, said Verstappen
Formula 1: Max Verstappen wins the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, Hamilton in second
Lewis Hamilton after the Race said: “Congratulations to Max, he did a fantastic job today – just solid work from him. And also to Lando, what an awesome job and it’s so good to see McLaren back up there. On my side it was not the greatest days, it’s the first time I’ve made a mistake in a long time. But I’m grateful I was able to bring the car home today.
“A bit unfortunate but I’m really really grateful we were able to get going again, and to get some points for the team was really important today.”
Formula 1: Max Verstappen wins the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton second