Brake too early at your peril. That’s the thought pole-sitter Oscar Piastri will take to Bologna airport on Sunday night, seeing 10 points pass him by in his title hunt. The clear favourite to romp home to victory in the speedy McLaren, the championship leader endured a tough lesson in first-lap combat here under the stunning Imola sunshine. Unambiguously, you do not leave a Red Bull-sized gap down the outside for a four-time F1 world champion.
For the race winner, no sign of father time here, a fortnight on from Max Verstappen becoming a dad for the first time. The Dutchman secured his second win of the season – his 65th overall in Red Bull’s 400th grand prix – with a terrific first-lap overtake, holding out at the end in an entertaining first European race of 2025.
