The winner of the 7th race of the 2024 Formula 1 Championship, the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, was Red Bull driver Max Verstappen.
European Leg Kicks Off in Imola
The European leg of the season began with the Emilia-Romagna GP at the iconic Imola circuit. With significant updates brought to the track, the qualifying sessions saw a fierce battle among Red Bull, McLaren, and Ferrari.
Red Bull’s Troubles and Race Performance
Red Bull faced technical issues on Friday, leading to uncertainty about their race performance. Starting from pole position, Verstappen managed to maintain his lead and had a smooth race initially. However, in the final stages, his worn-out tires caused a drop in pace, bringing him under pressure from Lando Norris, who was closing in from 7 seconds behind. Despite Norris’s late surge, Verstappen held on to win by 0.7 seconds, securing his 5th victory of the season and the 59th of his career.
Norris’s Strong Performance
After securing his first race win in Miami, Lando Norris was expected to perform well, given his strong long-run pace during practice sessions. Starting from the second position, Norris had a good launch but couldn’t overtake Verstappen at the first corner. While he couldn’t match Verstappen’s pace in the early stages, Norris closed the 7-second gap in the final part of the race, challenging for the win. However, he couldn’t get close enough to make a move before the 63-lap race ended and finished in second place.
Leclerc’s Efforts and Podium Finish
The third spot on the podium went to Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, racing on home soil. At one point, Leclerc seemed poised to challenge Norris for second place, but an off-track excursion cost him time, and he couldn’t match Norris’s pace afterward.
Performance of McLaren and Ferrari
McLaren’s strategic pit stops helped Oscar Piastri gain a position, allowing the Australian driver to finish in 4th place. Conversely, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz lost a position during his pit stop and ended up in 5th place, behind Piastri.
Mercedes and Other Teams
Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell finished in 6th and 7th places, respectively. Russell, who was initially ahead, lost a position after making a second pit stop. Sergio Perez, benefiting from a late pit stop strategy, climbed from 11th to finish 8th, followed by Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll, who also gained positions with a late stop. The final point went to RB’s Yuki Tsunoda, with Haas drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen following him.
Racing at home, RB’s Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo finished in 13th place, with Esteban Ocon, Guanyu Zhou, Pierre Gasly, Logan Sargeant, Valtteri Bottas, and Fernando Alonso completing the field.
Winners and Losers of the Race
No accidents occurred during the race, with Alex Albon being the only early retiree. George Russell set the fastest lap, while Lando Norris was named the driver of the day.
Excitement Ahead at Monaco GP
The next race of the season, the Monaco GP, is scheduled for next weekend, promising more thrilling moments ahead.