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Hamilton Shines in Stunning Comeback as Verstappen Defeats McLaren at Thrilling Imola GP
Lewis Hamilton delivered a brilliant late-race comeback at the Imola Grand Prix, salvaging a difficult weekend and surging to a fourth-place finish, as Max Verstappen stormed to yet another victory, fending off a strong McLaren challenge.
The weekend began poorly for both Hamilton and Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc, as neither made it into Q3 during qualifying. But on race day, Hamilton came alive. The seven-time world champion charged through the field in the final laps, overtaking Alex Albon and Leclerc to secure his best finish of the season. Hamilton dedicated the result to the passionate Italian tifosi who filled the grandstands at Imola.
Up front, Max Verstappen wasted no time asserting his authority. The Red Bull star snatched the lead from Oscar Piastri at Turn 1 with a bold move into Tamburello, and looked in control throughout the opening stages.
McLaren’s attempt to undercut Verstappen during pit stops faltered when a slow stop cost Piastri precious time. The race took a dramatic turn when Esteban Ocon’s Haas brought out a virtual safety car, allowing Verstappen to pit with minimal time loss and build a commanding lead.
However, that advantage was wiped out by a full safety car triggered by Kimi Antonelli’s retirement on Lap 46. The Mercedes rookie reported engine issues and stopped on the grass at Turn 7, setting the stage for a 10-lap sprint to the finish.
Despite the pressure, Verstappen held firm, keeping his composure at the restart and pulling away as Norris and Piastri fought behind him. The Dutchman cruised to victory, extending his winning streak and championship lead.
There was chaos further down the field as Fernando Alonso’s brakes caught fire during a pit stop, igniting his front-left tire, though the Spaniard continued and finished just outside the points.
Imola Grand Prix 2025 – Top 10 Results
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 1:31:33.199
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – +6.109
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – +12.956
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – +14.356
- Alex Albon (Williams) – +17.945
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – +20.774
- George Russell (Mercedes) – +22.034
- Carlos Sainz (Williams) – +22.898
- Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – +23.586
- Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) – +26.446
Fastest Lap Points Scrapped in 2025
In a notable rule change this season, Formula 1 has removed the bonus point for fastest lap, a feature in place since 2019. The decision aims to reduce strategic manipulation late in races, like the infamous moment in 2024 when Daniel Ricciardo secured the fastest lap despite finishing last in Singapore ultimately benefiting Verstappen’s title campaign.
With the new rules in play and the championship heating up, the Imola GP delivered another classic – and perhaps signaled that Hamilton, even after a rocky start, still has the fire to challenge the best.
Reigning World Champion: Max Verstappen (4 titles)
Next Stop: Monaco Grand Prix – A battle of precision awaits on the streets of Monte Carlo.
