RACE START: Watch the getaway at Imola as Verstappen makes an incredible move on Piastri for the lead
Max Verstappen completed a bold and brilliant move on Oscar Piastri around the outside of the first corner to snatch the lead as Sunday’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix got under way in dramatic style.
Piastri initially held his pole position advantage off the line, while Verstappen worked hard to keep Mercedes rival George Russell at bay, but the tables were turned as the field approached the Tamburello chicane.
LIVE COVERAGE: Follow all the action from the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix
Thanks to some brave, late braking and supreme car placement, Red Bull racer Verstappen got on terms with Piastri at the left-hander and muscled his way past before the subsequent right-hander – the McLaren playing its part in keeping things clean.
Behind, a frustrated Russell got boxed into third position over the other McLaren of Lando Norris, followed by Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and the two Williams machines.
Hit go on the video player above to watch the race start at Imola.
Next Up
Related Articles
Brown insists McLaren ‘won’t change the way we race’
11 times F1 drivers took another driver’s car number
Marko ‘believed in me when others didn’t’ – Lindblad
GALLERY: Check out renders of the innovative 2026 car
Verstappen reflects on Mercedes talks and F1 future
Beyond The GridThe best of 2025, from Norris’ evolution to Brad Pitt’s ‘need for speed’