F1 Imola GP 2024 LIVE: Race results, standings and updates as Max Verstappen holds off Lando Norris

Verstappen wins from pole at the Emilia Romagna GP despite Norris’ late surge for the win

Lando Norris returns to McLaren HQ after Miami Grand Prix triumph

Max Verstappen held off a dramatic Lando Norris fightback to win the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

Verstappen crossed the line just 0.725 seconds clear of Norris in Imola to take his fifth victory from the seven rounds so far.

Charles Leclerc finished third for Ferrari, one place ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri with Carlos Sainz fifth. Lewis Hamilton and George Russell finished sixth and seventh respectively for Mercedes.

Verstappen looked to be on course to claim a comfortable win, but Norris’ superb charge in the closing stages left the Dutchman sweating inside his all-conquering Red Bull. After the sole round of pit-stops, Verstappen held a steady lead of around six seconds, but a turgid race suddenly came alive when Verstappen could offer little response to Norris’ speed.

Follow latest updates from the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix with The Independent

F1 EMILIA ROMAGNA GRAND PRIX - LATEST UPDATES

• Max Verstappen wins the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix; Norris 2nd; Leclerc 3rd
• Click HERE for the top-10 at Imola
• CLOSE! Norris almost catches Verstappen in the final laps
• START! Max Verstappen holds off Lando Norris at the start
• Fernando Alonso started in the pit lane
• Oscar Piastri was handed a three-place grid drop for impeding Kevin Magnussen in qualifying
• PREVIEW: The key steps for Lando Norris to become an F1 title contender

[19 May 2024 16:04 · Kieran Jackson]

Lando Norris after finishing second:

“One or two more laps I think I would’ve had him. Tough, shame. Lost out a bit too much to Max in the beginning, it was a tough first half and much better second half. Just not today.

“We’re at a point now where we’re in the position of Ferrari and Red Bull, it’s what we have to get used to. It’s business as usual, focusing on doing the same things, fighting for first or second now. It’s frustrating not to win but after the improvements we made it’s what we should expect.”

[19 May 2024 15:56 · Kieran Jackson]

Max Verstappen after his victory:

“The whole race I had to push. The hard tyres were difficult, the last 10-15 laps I had no grip and I saw Lando closing in, it was flat out! Very difficult when the tyres weren’t working anymore. Super happy to win today!

“We changed a lot on the car. We can be incredibly pleased with the pole and the win!”

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

[19 May 2024 15:49 · Kieran Jackson]

TOP-10 IN THE EMILIA ROMAGNA GRAND PRIX:

1. Max Verstappen

2. Lando Norris

3. Charles Leclerc

4. Oscar Piastri

5. Carlos Sainz

6. Lewis Hamilton

7. George Russell (fastest lap)

8. Sergio Perez

9. Lance Stroll

10. Yuki Tsunoda

[19 May 2024 15:43 · Kieran Jackson]

Lando Norris on team radio:

“Unlucky. Almost! We lost too much in the beginning but another amazing weekend, well done everybody. Let’s keep it up!”

“One or two more laps! It’s frustrating not to win, it’s more painful now!”

[19 May 2024 15:35 · Kieran Jackson]

Max Verstappen after winning from pole:

“F*** mate! I had to work for that. We did a great race considering how the weekend started, had to work hard for that.”

[19 May 2024 15:30 · Kieran Jackson]

Max Verstappen wins the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix!

So close for Lando Norris, but it’s Max Verstappen’s victory in Imola! In the end, Norris finished just 0.7 seconds behind the Red Bull!

Charles Leclerc finishes third, for a podium finish for Ferrari!

4-10: Piastri, Sainz, Hamilton, Russell, Perez, Stroll, Tsunoda

[19 May 2024 15:29 · Kieran Jackson]

Max Verstappen leads by one second before the final lap (Lap 63/63)

Norris so close to getting DRS, but not quite!

Final lap!

[19 May 2024 15:27 · Kieran Jackson]

Max Verstappen on team radio (Lap 62/63)

“Battery is almost empty.”

It’s been tough for Red Bull - but he looks alright now. 1.2 seconds is the gap, but just two laps left...

[19 May 2024 15:25 · Kieran Jackson]

Max Verstappen keeping Lando Norris behind him (Lap 60/63)

Just when he needs to, Max is finding some pace!

1.8 seconds is now the gap, with Verstappen going slightly quicker in the last lap or two.

Think Norris’ tyres are dropping off now...

Top-10: Verstappen, Norris, Leclerc, Piastri, Sainz, Hamilton, Russell, Perez, Stroll, Tsunoda

[19 May 2024 15:22 · Kieran Jackson]

Norris reeling in Verstappen (Lap 58/63)

“I’m pushing as much as I can mate thank you!” Norris says, with his engineer saying he can push more at turn 9!

It’s now 1.5 seconds. Norris very much pushing to the limit around Imola right now!

Can he somehow get a second race win?!