One moment it was as exciting as a tax return – and then bang: an exhilarating late twist, with Lando Norris suddenly as hot down Max Verstappen’s neck as a dragon.
Nobody will be surprised that Verstappen won the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, but the unexpected drama in the final throes raised the possibility of a competition breaking out. No guarantees of that, though definitely straws to be grasped with both hands.
It unfolded like this. Norris, boosted by his maiden win in Miami a fortnight ago at the 110th attempt, was in second place six seconds back with 10 laps remaining. The 24-year-old British driver pressed and pressed his McLaren in pursuit of a car that has carried Max the Machine to the stars. Norris gobbled up the road in front of him, narrowing the gap to his prey sometimes by as much half-a-second a lap, until he was just 1.5sec adrift with five laps remaining.
Verstappen’s concern crackled through his radio. Norris, for his part, told his team he was doing everything within his power to make his better performing, though actually slightly older, tyres work to make the kill.
Verstappen had no grip yet trying to hold on. ‘Like driving on ice,’ he said afterwards. ‘At Turn 7, I nearly ended up in the grandstand.’
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Max Verstappen has returned to winning ways at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
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Verstappen celebrates after fending off a late charge from Lando Norris in Imola
The Red Bull star returns to winning ways after finishing second in Miami a fortnight ago
