2025 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix: Results and Surprises
Imola’s Old Ghosts and New Surprises
There are circuits that whisper history, and then there’s Imola, which shouts it from every gravel trap and kerb. The 2025 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix was supposed to be a coronation for McLaren’s new era, a homecoming redemption for Ferrari, and perhaps a quiet weekend for Red Bull. Instead, we got a race that upended the script, delivered a masterclass in opportunism from Max Verstappen, and left the Tifosi clutching their red flags in despair.
Let’s unravel the drama, the numbers, and the human stories behind a weekend that reminded us why Formula 1 is still the world’s most unpredictable soap opera.
Qualifying: Red Flags, Barrel Rolls, and a Papaya Pole
If you tuned in for a routine qualifying, you clearly haven’t been paying attention to modern F1. Imola’s qualifying session was a demolition derby disguised as a time trial. Two red flags, a barrel-rolling Yuki Tsunoda, and Franco Colapinto’s Alpine debut ending in the barriers set the tone. The session was so chaotic, even the FIA seemed unsure who had actually made it into Q2.
Oscar Piastri, the championship leader, snatched pole with a 1:14.670, just 0.034s ahead of Verstappen. George Russell, ever the opportunist, gambled on medium tyres for his final run and secured third, relegating Lando Norris to a frustrated fourth.
Oscar Piastri, McLaren:
It was a great session. Very tough, with all the delays, the red flags, and then also the tyres. The team did a great job, got the car in a nice window. I’m excited for tomorrow.
The real shock was Ferrari’s double exit in Q2—Leclerc and Hamilton out in 11th and 12th, respectively. The Tifosi’s collective groan was audible from Maranello to Sofia.
Watch the qualifying highlights on YouTube
The Grid: A New Order, Old Problems
The starting grid was a snapshot of F1’s shifting tectonic plates. McLaren’s papaya cars locked out the front row, with Verstappen sandwiched between them. Russell’s Mercedes, still allergic to consistency, was third. Aston Martin and Williams, those perennial midfielders, found themselves in the rarefied air of the top ten.
Ferrari, meanwhile, was left licking its wounds. Charles Leclerc’s post-qualifying interview was a masterclass in Gallic resignation:
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari:
It’s just frustrating, I’m very disappointed with the performance at the moment. Sorry for the fans that have done many kilometres to come and see us, and the best performance we could give was 11th and 12th place, this hurts.
See the full grid and analysis at PlanetF1
Race Day: Verstappen’s Redemption and McLaren’s Missed Opportunity
If qualifying was chaos, the race was a lesson in clinical execution—at least for one man. Max Verstappen, starting second, launched a daring move around the outside of Piastri at Tamburello on Lap 1. The Australian, perhaps too cautious, braked early and left the door wide open. Verstappen didn’t need a second invitation.
From there, the Dutchman managed the race with the cold efficiency of a man who’s read too many Ross Brawn memoirs. The McLarens, so dominant in practice, found themselves outfoxed by Red Bull’s strategy and Verstappen’s relentless pace. A perfectly timed virtual safety car allowed Verstappen to pit and maintain track position, while Norris and Piastri were left to squabble over the scraps.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull:
The VSC was quite handy to pit. Even then, on the hard compound our pace was strong. But then there was a safety car, so the field was back together. But on the restart we managed it all pretty well and brought it home. Incredibly proud of everyone. It’s been a very important week for us. The car has performed really well.
Driver of the Day: Verstappen’s Imola Masterclass
The Podium: Norris and Piastri Settle for Silver and Bronze
Lando Norris, who started fourth, made the most of a late-race opportunity to pass his teammate Piastri and claim second. The intra-team battle was tense but fair—no “Multi-21” radio calls required. Piastri, after his early error, simply didn’t have the grip to fight back.
Lando Norris, McLaren:
A good race. For us as a team, second and third is great. Of course you would love to be up there fighting against Max but they [Red Bull] were too good for us today.
Piastri, ever the pragmatist, admitted his mistake:
Oscar Piastri, McLaren:
I just braked too early, it was a good move by Max as well. Disappointing obviously, we made a few poor calls afterwards too – it’s one to review. We’ll look back at that one and see what we can do a bit better.
Ferrari: Home Race, Home Disappointment
If you’re a Ferrari fan, look away now. Lewis Hamilton, in his first Italian race for the Scuderia, salvaged fourth after a gritty drive from 12th on the grid. Charles Leclerc, starting 11th, finished sixth after a late-race tussle with Alex Albon’s Williams—yes, you read that right, Williams. The only thing more bruised than Ferrari’s pride was the rear suspension on Colapinto’s Alpine.
Leclerc’s post-race mood was as dark as a Bologna espresso:
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari:
For now, there’s nothing that gives me hope for tomorrow’s pace, because I think the potential of the car is not good enough at the moment.
Hamilton, ever the diplomat, was “devastated” but insisted the team was making progress. The Tifosi, meanwhile, were last seen muttering about 2026.
What Happened to Ferrari in 2025? F1’s Biggest Letdown
Williams and Albon: The Quiet Revolution
While the headlines focused on the usual suspects, Alex Albon delivered a drive that would have made Alan Jones proud. Fifth place for Williams, ahead of both Ferraris, was a result that would have seemed fanciful twelve months ago. Carlos Sainz, now in Williams blue, finished eighth, proving that sometimes a change of scenery is all you need.
The Numbers: Results and Standings
Race Results (Top 10):
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 1:31:33.199
- Lando Norris (McLaren) +6.109s
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) +12.956s
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) +14.356s
- Alex Albon (Williams) +17.945s
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +20.774s
- George Russell (Mercedes) +22.034s
- Carlos Sainz (Williams) +22.898s
- Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) +23.586s
- Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) +26.446s
Championship Standings (Top 5):
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 146
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – 133
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 124
- George Russell (Mercedes) – 99
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 61
Statistical Parallels: When the Past Echoes
Verstappen’s win at Imola was his second of the season, but more importantly, it was a reminder that the Dutchman is never out of the title fight. The last time a Red Bull driver won at Imola after a mid-season slump? 2012, when Sebastian Vettel clawed back a deficit to win the championship. McLaren’s double podium, meanwhile, is their third in four races—a feat they last managed in the halcyon days of 2012.
Ferrari’s home disappointment is nothing new. The last time both Ferraris failed to make Q3 at Imola? Never—this was a first, and not the kind you frame on the wall.
Human Stories: From Barrel Rolls to Broken Dreams
Yuki Tsunoda’s qualifying crash was a reminder of how far F1 safety has come. The Japanese driver walked away from a barrel roll at Villeneuve, his RB21 battered but his spirit unbroken. Franco Colapinto’s Alpine debut ended in the wall, a cruel twist for a driver hoping to impress in his five-race deal.
And then there’s Kimi Antonelli, the Italian prodigy whose home debut for Mercedes ended with a DNF and a lonely walk back to the pits. The Imola crowd, ever generous, gave him a standing ovation. Sometimes, even in defeat, you win hearts.
The Takeaway: The More Things Change…
Imola 2025 was a race that defied expectations. Verstappen reminded us that champions never die quietly. McLaren, for all their pace, learned that races are won on Sunday, not Saturday. Ferrari, well… as the old proverb goes, “Hope is the last thing to die.” For the Tifosi, hope will have to last another year.
As for the rest of us, we’ll be back in two weeks for Monaco, where overtaking is a rumour and heartbreak is guaranteed.
