Imola GP : Max wins his 2nd 2025 race

Max showed absolute dominance to win at Imola. The McLarens were behind him with Lando at P2 and Piastri P3.

Max Magic at Imola

Max won his second race of the 2025 season despite not having the fastest car this year. Oscar Piastri started from Pole and he got a good start. However he braked a bit early at turn 1, giving Max the opportunity to get ahead. Never the one to lose a chance, Max swooped on the outside to take the lead. From then one there was no looking back. The surprising factor was the pace advantage of the Red Bull in Max’s hand. Even with the lead the McLarens were unable to catch up with Max. This can be a significant shift it continues this way. Or it may just be a track specific or tyre compound specific thing. It is undeniable though that Max had the pace advantage and he is not that far from the McLaren drivers in the Driver’s Championship. It is still very much wide open.

His team-mate Yuki Tsunoda had a crash in Q1 and was starting last. Still he managed to score the last point at P10

McLaren pace missing at Imola

Oscar Piastri just eked out Max Verstappen to get the Pole Position. However Max got ahead as the race started and was firmly in command. Both Norris and Oscar tried to catch up with Max at different points of the race but were unable to do so. Norris was happy with his P2 position and being ahead of Oscar, who was obviously disappointed with started from Pole and finishing P3. The McLaren drivers need to realize that it is not just the competition between them but Max is also a solid contender. This especially after Barcelona when there will be strict guidelines in wings flexibility. Next week race is in Monaco and it will be very different track but McLaren need to up their game.

Home Race for Ferrari

It is was a home race for Ferrari in Italy but they had a very bad performance in Quali as both the drivers failed to get in Q3. Still thanks to good race and some Safety car luck they managed to get a decent haul of points. Lewis Hamilton finished P4 and Charles finished P6. They are way behind McLarens and Max and even Mercedes. The upgrades have to come fast if they want to fight for the Championship, which is increasingly unlikely.

Mercedes missing race pace

George Russell started from a solid position in P3 but he had no race pace and kept slipping down and eventually finished outside of points. Home hero Kimi Antonelli had a day to forget as the Mercedes had a rare failure at Imola.

Williams had the pace at Imola

Williams is looking really strong. They are currently P5 in Constructors and can challenge for P4. However they have stopped developing the 2025 car and have full focus on the next season, with a long season still to go. Albon got back to back P5. Carlos had the pace but still finished P8.

Isack Hadjar got P9. The Astons got into Q3 but failed to get any points.

Imola GP Top 10 : Max winner