Max Returns, McLaren Responds: The Title Fight Is On

Four-time World Champion Max Verstappen has returned to the top step of the podium once again. His last podium appearance was back on April 20th at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, but this weekend at Imola, he was back in dominant form.

The Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix started with Oscar Piastri on pole position, having delivered a strong performance in qualifying. However, he had Verstappen right behind him on the front row. As Oscar once said on the P1 with Matt and Tommy podcast in 2023, “It’s a very different feeling when you’ve got Max Verstappen in a Red Bull behind you, because you know it’s going to be a matter of when he comes past you… not if.”  

That prediction held true this race day. Piastri didn’t get the race start he was hoping for, and it only took a few corners for Verstappen to make his move, snatching the lead and eventually win. McLaren still had a strong showing, with Lando Norris finishing P2 and Piastri rounding out the podium in P3. This result has now tightened the battle at the top of the Drivers' Championship, with Verstappen closing in on the two McLaren drivers. 

It was also a home race for the youngest rookie on the grid, Kimi Antonelli, but it didn’t go the way he had hoped. After a decent start to the weekend, he was forced to retire on lap 46 due to a throttle failure—certainly not the home race he would have wanted.

So far, there have already been two driver swaps this season—the Down Under drivers Jack Doohan and Liam Lawson—and we’re not even halfway through the calendar. Yet our favourite Kiwi, Liam Lawson, now back with Racing Bulls, is still hunting for his first points finish of the season.

Qualifying was  very dramatic, featuring several major incidents. Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda suffered a heavy crash that caused his car to flip and roll over the tyre barriers. Thankfully, he landed right-side up and walked away unscathed—a testament to modern F1 safety. Alpine’s  reserve driver Franco Colapinto, who has replaced the Aussie Jack Doohan in Miami, also crashed out during Q1. With back-to-back errors for Alpine , it begs the question: how long will Alpine keep him in the car as they took Doohan out after 5 races? 

With a little help from my mate ChatGPT, here’s what ChatGPT said. The answer lies in the difference in safety technology and design. Formula 1 cars are engineered with extreme crash protection—carbon fibre monocoques, energy-absorbing crash structures, the Halo device which has saved many drivers lives, HANS neck supports, and advanced fire-resistant gear. Additionally, drivers are strapped in with six-point harnesses, and the crash barriers on professional circuits are designed to absorb and redirect energy. In contrast, everyday vehicles and public roads can't match this level of safety, making high-speed crashes far more dangerous for the average driver.

Special mentions Williams who have been performing consistently, scoring points with both drivers in the past three races. Their solid form has moved them up to 5th in the Constructors' Championship standings which is really good as they were a struggling team trying to get points on the board.

Lastly, a shout out to Lewis Hamilton. He narrowly missed out on a podium finish, coming home in P4. It’s taken some time for him to adjust to his brand-new car and engine, having spent the last 12 years with Mercedes. This move to Ferrari marks a big transition for the seven-time world champion—but signs of progress are definitely there.

The 2025 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix reminded us why people love Formula 1—high stakes, bold overtakes, and compelling stories unfolding all across the grid. Verstappen’s return to the top step proves he’s still a force to be reckoned with, while McLaren continues to show they’re genuine title contenders. Rookie struggles, and dramatic crashes kept the tension high throughout the weekend. As the championship battle heats up and teams settle into their stride, one thing is clear—this season is anything but predictable.

Ciao, Imola… and Salut to Monaco next week!