Reigning World champion Max Verstappen added the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix to his list of conquered events in the 2022 season after an utterly dominant performance saw him win the event in Italy.
Verstappen failed to finish the Australian Grand Prix just two weeks ago after his car caught fire, but there was nothing of the sort in Imola this time around.
The Dutchman showed his readiness for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix by beating Charles Leclerc to victory in the first sprint race of the season on Saturday, earning him pole position and eight championship points.
Verstappen was brilliant on the track in Imola after getting off to a great start. He managed to win every lap of the race and recorded the fastest lap in the race to claim only his second-ever Grand Slam. His main competitor, Leclerc, managed to finish in sixth place after driving straight into the barriers in the 54th lap.
Verstappen finished in first place with a time of 1:32:07.986, with Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez claiming second place and Lando Norris completing the podium places. George Russell, Valtteri Bottas, Leclerc, Yoki Tsunoda, Sebastian Vettel, Kevin Magnussen and Lance Stroll completed the top ten.
24-year-old Max Verstappen has now entered into the top-ten for all-time podiums made after his 62nd career podium. The Red Bull driver became the first man in Formula One history to claim maximum 34 points in a single weekend of action.
In the aftermath of winning the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Verstappen has jumped up to second place on the Drivers’ standings with 59 points, 27 points behind leader Leclerc. Perez is third, a further five points behind Verstappen.
The drivers will now turn their attention to the next event on the calendar, the Miami Grand Prix, which is set to take place in two weeks’ time.
