IMOLA, Italy – Formula One Champion Max Verstappen Sunday dominates in a Red Bull ‘s journey Ferrari in Emilia-Romagna grand openingso much so that the disappointment of the sea of ”tifosi” covered in red.
Verstappen won from pole, scoring the fastest lap and winning his second of the season while leading teammate Sergio Pérez to the first of two Red Bulls since Malaysia in 2016.
“Lovely Sunday,” Verstappen radioed to his Red Bull team about what was truly a bleak, overcast and foggy racing day.
But the Dutchman scored maximum points at the weekend – he also won Saturday’s sprint – and led Red Bull in embarrassment over Ferrari in what Ferrari hopes will is their weekend of celebration at home.
“It is always difficult to achieve something like that,” Verstappen said of the perfect weekend. “We managed to do that. You never know how competitive the weather will be, but I think as a team we did everything well and part two was well deserved. ”
Lando Norris came in third for McLaren.
It was a disastrous race for Ferrari, racing at its home ground and hoping to celebrate the return of F1 domination. Charles Leclerc has become the championship lead with two wins in his first three races and Carlos Sainz Jr celebrated his two-year contract extension this weekend in Italy.
But LeClerc failed to make the leap over Verstappen in the first place and never ran for office. Sainz ran off course on the opening lap to ruin his race, and Leclerc’s attempt to save his Ferrari day came to an end when he turned Pérez to second.
In the end he finished sixth.
Leclerc had 46 points above defending champion Verstappen at the start of the weekend but Verstappen closed the gap to 27 points and placed second.
“I was too greedy and I paid the price for that and lost seven potential points,” Leclerc said. “Unfortunately, that’s seven points worth at the end of the championship and this won’t happen again.”
Verstappen was overtaken by Leclerc at the start of Saturday’s sprint classification race but by race day Verstappen was off to a good start. Leclerc, meanwhile, plummeted as he was overtaken by Pérez and Norris.
LeClrec ended up in third and was chasing the Red Bulls when he ran off course.
It rained heavily in the morning but was clear at the start of the race, and although the track was still wet, it quickly dried and the riders had to change their tires for the new conditions.
Leclerc got ahead on the pit lane ahead of Perez, but the Mexican driver had warmer tires and was able to squeeze inside and reclaim second place. Leclerc still trailed Perez in second as he made a rare mistake and veered off course. Although he was able to drive away, his Ferrari was damaged, causing LeClerc to fall into the pit.
The race had a late battle that caused a stir between Mercedes newcomer George Russell and Valtteri Bottas, the driver he replaced. The two made it to the final lap in fourth place, with Russell holding the 11th place veteran, starting the 11th race.
Lewis Hamilton, while. continued his initial struggle and finished in 13th place. Mercedes head Toto Wolff apologized to Hamilton over the radio about the “undriveable” car Hamilton had been gifted in Italy .
The seven-time world champion lost the title to Verstappen in last season’s finale in one of the best title fights in decades. On Sunday, Hamilton was overtaken by Verstappen in round 39.
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