Max Verstappen silences critics with commanding win at Emilia Romagna Grand Prix

Verstappen leads Red Bull resurgence with Imola victory as McLaren settles for second and third.

Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing, winner of the race, speaks during the Drivers Press Conference at the Formula 1 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari on May 18, 2025, in Imola, Italy. Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images

By Widya Putri and Amanda Zahra

Max Verstappen reclaimed the spotlight on Sunday with a convincing victory at the 2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, reminding critics of his enduring dominance and Red Bull’s technical mastery. The three-time world champion surged to his fourth straight win at Imola, delivering a performance that emphatically quashed doubts about the team’s form and silenced whispers of a McLaren resurgence.

This latest triumph at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari marks Verstappen’s second win of the season and the 65th of his Formula One career. His clinical execution throughout the race not only secured his personal milestone but also helped Red Bull celebrate their 400th race in style.

From the early stages, Verstappen asserted control over the field. After a modest start from second on the grid, he executed a daring overtaking move around the outside of pole-sitter Oscar Piastri at the Tamburello chicane. That decisive moment allowed Verstappen to take command and build a lead he never relinquished.

"I am incredibly proud of everyone," Verstappen said after the race. "It's been a very important week for us, and the car has performed really well. I think the execution of the whole race was really good."

Strategic excellence and race pace define Red Bull’s response

Throughout the 63-lap contest, Verstappen demonstrated strategic intelligence and precise tire management—hallmarks of his driving style. Despite two safety car interruptions, which compressed the field and introduced strategic unpredictability, the Dutch driver retained composure. Both safety car periods allowed him to make pit stops without significant time losses, a factor that worked in his favor on a track where overtaking is notoriously difficult.

"The start itself wasn't particularly great, but I stayed on the normal line and thought I’d send it round the outside—and it worked really well," he explained. "Once we were in the lead, the car felt great. We could look after the tyres and maintain a very strong pace."

Verstappen’s choice to pit under a virtual safety car minimized his time loss during the tire change, and even after switching to the hard compound, his pace remained unchallenged.

McLaren’s challenge falls short despite double podium

Behind Verstappen, McLaren’s Lando Norris continued his consistent run by finishing second, while teammate Oscar Piastri, despite starting on pole, settled for third. The British team had been widely tipped to win in Imola following promising performances in practice and qualifying, but their race pace couldn’t match Red Bull’s on Sunday.

Norris and Piastri both praised their team’s progress but acknowledged that Verstappen had the edge when it counted.

Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, returning to form after a difficult start to the season, finished fourth in front of a passionate home crowd. Although Ferrari had hoped for a stronger result on their home turf, Hamilton’s performance indicated that the Italian team is closing the gap to the front.

Verstappen eyes Monaco with confidence

With the Monaco Grand Prix just a week away, Verstappen is brimming with confidence. Having won at Monte Carlo in both 2021 and 2023, he is eager to add another street circuit triumph to his record as part of the season’s intense triple-header.

"Next week is Monaco, and that's always a completely different kind of challenge," Verstappen said. "But for now, I just want to enjoy this win. We worked really hard this week, and it’s great to see it all come together."

He also expressed his affection for racing in Italy, a nation with a deep-rooted motorsport culture.

"It's always fantastic to be in Italy," he said. "There’s a proper passion for motorsport here, and it’s amazing to see all the fans come out and support all the drivers. I hope Imola stays on the calendar. It deserves to be here."

A pivotal race in Red Bull’s campaign

The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix served as more than just a race win for Verstappen—it was a statement. After weeks of speculation that Red Bull’s dominance was waning, the Dutch driver’s flawless display reaffirmed his and the team’s stature in the 2025 championship fight. The victory also tightens the title race, with Verstappen now closing in on McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who retains a slim lead in the drivers’ standings.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner praised Verstappen’s performance and the team’s effort.

"Max was phenomenal today," Horner said. "It’s races like this that show why he's a champion. We’ve had a lot of noise around us lately, but this win proves our car is still very competitive, and our team is as focused as ever."

Imola’s future and the passion of the Tifosi

With the 2025 race potentially being Imola’s last under its current contract, many in the paddock voiced hope that the Italian circuit remains a fixture on the calendar. The Tifosi turned out in full force, cheering not only for Ferrari but also showing appreciation for drivers across the grid.

Verstappen, ever gracious, acknowledged the crowd’s support and the history surrounding the venue.

"Imola is special. The history, the fans, the passion—it all adds up to something really unique. I really hope we keep coming back here," he said.

Looking ahead to Monaco

As the championship intensifies, attention now turns to Monaco, where qualifying positions often determine race outcomes due to the tight and twisting nature of the circuit. Verstappen’s recent form suggests he’ll be a top contender once again, but with McLaren’s rising momentum and Ferrari’s home support still lingering, nothing is guaranteed.

For now, though, the headlines belong to Max Verstappen. His Emilia Romagna Grand Prix win wasn’t just another victory—it was a message: Red Bull and their champion are far from finished.