Breaking:F1 Imola 2025 GP results: Final classification with penalties app…read more
F1 Imola 2025 GP results: Final classification with penalties app…read more
The 2025 Formula 1 season continued its thrilling momentum at the Imola Grand Prix, the seventh round of the championship, held at the iconic Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari. The race delivered high-stakes action, standout performances, and strategic brilliance — culminating in a superb victory for Max Verstappen.
The Red Bull driver seized the lead with a daring move right at the beginning of the race. On the opening lap, Verstappen executed an exceptional overtake on then-championship leader Oscar Piastri, swinging around the outside at Turn 2. This decisive action, paired with a strategically timed virtual safety car, proved crucial in Verstappen’s march to the top step of the podium.
Once in front, Verstappen maintained control throughout the race and eventually crossed the finish line with a time of 1:31:33.199. Behind him, McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri rounded out the podium. Norris, consistent and fast, finished second just over six seconds adrift, while Piastri took third, nearly 13 seconds behind Verstappen.
Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton delivered one of the most impressive drives of the day. Starting from 12th on the grid, the seven-time world champion surged through the field with clinical overtakes and smart tyre management to claim a hard-fought fourth-place finish. His teammate Charles Leclerc also made notable progress during the race. Despite an incident involving Alex Albon that drew late-race scrutiny, Leclerc was cleared of any wrongdoing and secured sixth place after starting from 11th.
Williams driver Alex Albon once again impressed with his consistent form in 2025. He managed to stay competitive throughout and finished fifth, adding more valuable points to the team’s solid season. His teammate, Carlos Sainz, also made it into the points, finishing eighth.
Mercedes’ George Russell claimed seventh, holding off a competitive pack. Meanwhile, young French driver Isack Hadjar scored a crucial ninth-place finish for the Racing Bulls, continuing his rise as one of the standout rookies of the season. Rounding out the top 10 was Yuki Tsunoda, representing Red Bull’s secondary team, and collecting the final point.
Veteran Fernando Alonso ended the race just outside the points in 11th place for Aston Martin, followed by Nico Hulkenberg in the Kick Sauber. Alpine teammates Pierre Gasly and rookie Franco Colapinto took 13th and 16th respectively, while Liam Lawson of Racing Bulls and Lance Stroll of Aston Martin also finished in the midfield. Ollie Bearman came 17th for Haas, and Gabriel Bortoleto, also representing Kick Sauber, completed the classified finishers in 18th.
There were two retirements: Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes was forced to retire after completing 44 laps, while Esteban Ocon in the Haas failed to finish due to mechanical issues.
Verstappen also clocked the fastest lap of the race, a blistering 1:17.988 on lap 58. However, due to a rule change introduced for the 2025 season, no additional championship point was awarded for this feat. This modification aims to discourage mid-to-late race tyre gambits that were often deployed purely to secure the extra point — a tactic that drew criticism in the past. One notorious example came in 2024 when Daniel Ricciardo, in his final F1 race, finished last in Singapore but pitted late to claim the fastest lap, thereby denying a crucial point to Lando Norris and helping Verstappen’s title push.
The FIA has officially confirmed this final classification for the Imola Grand Prix. With the championship still wide open, Verstappen’s early aggression and race management at Imola could prove pivotal in the title fight as the season progresses.
