Max Verstappen astounded both friends and McLaren by dominantly claiming victory at the Italian Imola. The Dutchman essentially won the race at the start, with a brilliant overtaking move on pole-sitter Oscar Piastri. Verstappen then held onto the lead throughout the race, reducing the championship gap to 22 points behind the same Piastri. The international media are relishing the masterful race of the four-time world champion.
“Killer Verstappen,” headlines La Gazzetta Dello Sport. The Italian newspaper observed how the Dutchman dominated a race for the first time in a while. “In Saudi Arabia and Miami, he succeeded on Saturday. In Imola, however, Max Verstappen saved his tour de force for Sunday,” writes the duty journalist. Verstappen had already secured pole position in Jeddah and Miami, but the victory in Imola is, after Japan, his second of the season.
The Italian media particularly enjoyed Verstappen’s ‘sensational’ overtaking move on Oscar Piastri in the opening phase. “An extraordinary overtaking move at the start by the world champion, who left Oscar Piastri in the dust at the first braking action. Despite a less than perfect sprint when the lights went out, the Dutchman managed to keep the Australian behind him thanks to an exceptional braking action at the entrance of Tamburello.” In addition to the praise for Verstappen, Gazzetta also takes a moment to acknowledge the performance of their own Italian pride, Ferrari. “A wooden medal for Lewis Hamilton: it was a great race for the Brit, protagonist of a fantastic comeback.” Hamilton finished fourth, after starting from twelfth place.
‘A Move Verstappen Will Look Back on with Pleasure’
In McLaren’s homeland, they are certain: Max Verstappen is still a contender for the title. The British newspaper, The Guardian, observed how the driver claimed victory with ‘a piece of ruthless controlled dominance’. “It was a victory that was essentially decided within mere seconds after the lights went out,” the reporter refers to Verstappen’s overtaking move on Piastri. “But what a way to decide it, a moment to enjoy and indeed one that Verstappen might look back on with pleasure.” The British newspaper also noted how McLaren tried to split the strategy between Piastri and Lando Norris, but they were ultimately no match for the Dutch world champion.
‘Verstappen Wins After Just 14 Seconds’
In our eastern neighbors, the opening round of the GP Emilia-Romagna is once again the main topic. “Verstappen wins after just 14 seconds,” is even the headline in the German newspaper BILD. “For Verstappen, the victory in Imola is a double success. Reason: The Dutchman makes the world championship exciting again!” The German media also takes a moment to reflect on the performance of the German racing team Mercedes, who had hoped for more during the first home race for Andrea Kimi Antonelli. “It was a day to forget for Mercedes. Local hero Kimi Antonelli had to park his Silver Arrow due to a problem with the W16, George Russell, who had started third, only finished seventh due to bad luck with the timing of the safety car.”
‘Verstappen Made a Fool of the Young Australian’
The French newspaper L’Équipe is also full of praise for Verstappen’s masterful overtaking move in the opening round. “Max Verstappen made a fool of the young Australian,” the newspaper even writes. The French media is relieved that the tension in the title fight is back. “The four-time world champion staged the perfect coup for Red Bull’s 400th victory in Formula 1. Verstappen, now only 22 points behind the leader, is still in the race against the McLarens, he is the only one capable of taking up the fight.”
