Verstappen survives late Norris pressure to win at Imola

Max Verstappen secured a decisive victory at the 2024 Imola Grand Prix, marking his fifth win of the season and reinforcing his dominance despite facing a late challenge from Lando Norris. The race appeared to be a straightforward triumph for Verstappen until the final stages when Norris put up a fight.

Norris, driving with remarkable pace, managed to close the gap but ultimately fell short, finishing in second place. Charles Leclerc completed the podium in third after a costly error when he got within DRS range of Norris, losing valuable time and failing to mount a sustained challenge for second place.

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Ferrari’s Leclerc initially seemed poised to overtake Norris but made a mistake at the chicane, which not only dashed his chances of advancing but also allowed Norris to focus on catching up to Verstappen. Despite his efforts, Norris could not maintain the rapid gains he was making against the Red Bull driver, ultimately settling for a well-earned second place.

Oscar Piastri and Carlos Sainz took fourth and fifth positions, respectively, showcasing their consistent pace and reliability. Lance Stroll and Yuki Tsunoda rounded out the points-paying positions, demonstrating strong drives and taking advantage of the opportunities presented throughout the race.