Home debacle in Imola: Verstappen wins in Ferrari country

Created: 04/24/2022Updated: 04/24/2022 17:06

Max Verstappen takes the lead at the start.

© Luca Bruno/AP/dpa

World Championship leader Charles Lerclerc suffered the first major setback in the World Championship fight at Ferrari's home spectacle and clearly missed the podium in front of almost 100,000 fans.

Imola - Formula 1 title defender Max Verstappen finally spoiled the red festival at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari with his sovereign victory with the fastest race lap as the crowning of a perfect weekend for the Dutchman.

Second, Sergio Perez made the one-two for Red Bull perfect.

Third was Lando Norris in the McLaren.

First points for Vettel

Leclerc did not get past sixth place after a risky tire change and a departure with gang contact shortly before the end.

His teammate Carlos Sainz was eliminated after just a few meters at the Grand Prix of Emilia Romagna on what was ultimately a dreary day for Ferrari in grey-cloudy Imola.

After his crash, Carlos Sainz leaves the damaged racing car with his head bowed.

© Luca Bruno/AP/dpa

Record world champion Lewis Hamilton also lost contact with the top: The seven-time champion dragged his Mercedes to the finish in 13th place, he was lapped by Verstappen after two thirds of the race distance.

His new team-mate George Russell did some considerable damage control in fourth.

Sebastian Vettel scored his first championship points this year in eighth place in the Aston Martin.

Buddy and compatriot Mick Schumacher, on the other hand, missed the first points in Formula 1 again in his 25th Grand Prix: After several mistakes, he was only 17th in a race that was much more orderly than many had expected.

Sainz in the gravel bed

The air temperature was almost 13 degrees, but in the crowded grandstands, on the hills, on the fences, the big Ferrari fever still prevailed.

The scenery for the European stopover after Melbourne and before Miami could hardly have been better.

And then that: Leclerc didn't get away well at the start from second place and didn't have a chance to attack Verstappen.

Instead, the Monegasse was overtaken by Perez and Norris.

Puffs of red smoke cleared the stands, and things got even worse for Ferrari.

Sainz was already in the gravel after colliding with McLaren's Daniel Ricciardo.

In qualifying, the Spaniard was eliminated just one day after his contract extension due to a driving error.

Schumacher touches Alonso's car

Mick Schumacher also spun on the drying course.

From tenth on the grid, he fell far behind in the Haas.

En passant, the 23-year-old damaged Fernando Alonso's Alpine, so that the two-time champion had to park the car with a huge hole in the side box.

Schumacher later spun again and was shown the black and white flag for violating the track limits.

The race exclusion threatened.

Things went better for Schumacher's compatriot Vettel two weeks after his completely screwed up personal season debut in Australia.

The 34-year-old native of Hesse missed the first two races due to a corona infection and failed several times Down Under.

Vettel presented himself in good form in Imola.

It was orange instead of red in Imola

Verstappen couldn't care less.

It was already orange instead of red in qualifying and in the sprint race after the Dutchman's victories.

Unlike the short distance the day before, he didn't mess up the start this time either.

In addition, Perez served as a perfect buffer after his advance from third to second after Leclerc again passed Norris to the cheers of the Italian fans.

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Russell also worked his way up, the Mercedes newcomer had to start from eleventh place.

Hamilton from 14, but again not much worked for the 37-year-old Brit, who also helped to improve performance by switching to dry tires.

And Leclerc, who started the Scuderia's home spectacle as a big favorite with two wins in three races, was not able to improve after the tire change.

He came out ahead of Perez, but with the cooler tires he couldn't counter the Mexican's attack.

Patience was now required.

Or full risk: Ferrari took Leclerc into the pits again, he got the fastest tires on it, but a little later he slipped off the track and hit the side of the wall.

Leclerc was able to continue, but had to pit again and thus missed a podium place.

dpa