Published on 25.04.2022
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Motoring » The Dutchman won the sprint on Saturday and the race yesterday at the Emilia-Romagna GP at Imola.
Max Verstappen (Red Bull) won the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola. The Dutchman, who had a perfect weekend, preceded his teammate Sergio Pérez as the Ferraris disappointed the tifosi who came in droves.
Starting from pole position after his success in Saturday’s sprint, Verstappen had an uneventful race to claim the 22nd victory of his Formula 1 career, the second this season, still accompanied by the fastest lap. On a wet track, the pilots left on intermediate tires before putting on slicks after a third of the event.
“The start was important, but afterwards we had to judge the conditions and know when to change tyres. When you lead, you have to set the pace and it’s always difficult, but everything was well managed, ”said Verstappen. Behind the Red Bulls, the podium was completed by Lando Norris (McLaren-Mercedes). The Englishman took advantage of an error by Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) with 10 laps remaining as the Monegasque pushed hard to come back behind Pérez.
Leclerc had to settle for sixth place while his teammate Carlos Sainz had to retire on the first lap after being hit by Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren-Mercedes). Ferrari expected much better from this weekend at home… This 2022 season is really shaping up to be a duel between Verstappen and Leclerc for the title. Both have won twice. The Ferrari driver remains at the top of the championship with 86 points, against 59 for the defending champion and 54 for the solid Pérez.
The Mercedes are not in the race in 2022. If George Russell saved the furniture by taking fourth place just ahead of the Finn Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo-Ferrari), Lewis Hamilton had a very difficult race concluded in an anonymous 13th place , one lap behind the winner. “Sorry about the car you had to drive today,” boss Toto Wolff told the seven-time world champion over the radio. “No worries Toto. We’re just going to keep working hard,” Hamilton replied. ats