F1 Imola GP 2024 LIVE: Race schedule, updates, times and results as Max Verstappen starts on pole

Lando Norris ‘hurts’ after finishing behind Max Verstappen: ‘I would have had him’

Lando Norris felt he needed just one more lap to beat Max Verstappen in Sunday’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

The British driver finished only 0.725 seconds behind Verstappen in Imola as a turgid race sensationally came alive in the closing laps.

After the sole round of pit-stops, Verstappen looked set to canter to the chequered flag, but Norris – fresh from his maiden win in Miami a fortnight ago – launched a brilliant late surge.

With five laps remaining, Norris was within 1.5 seconds off Verstappen, and as they entered the 63rd and final tour here, the Red Bull was a mere nine tenths up the road.

But despite Norris’s herculean efforts, he came up agonisingly short of a second win in as many races.

Kieran Jackson19 May 2024 18:31

Constructors’ standings after the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix:

1. Red Bull – 268 points

2. Ferrari – 212 points

3. McLaren – 154 points

4. Mercedes – 79 points

5. Aston Martin – 44 points

6. RB – 20 points

7. Haas – 7 points

8. Alpine – 1 point

9. Williams – 0 points

10. Sauber – 0 points

Kieran Jackson19 May 2024 17:50

Lewis Hamilton’s reaction after P6 at Imola:

Kieran Jackson19 May 2024 17:31

Driver Standings after the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix:

1. Max Verstappen – 161 points

2. Charles Leclerc – 113 points

3. Sergio Perez – 107 points

4. Lando Norris – 101 points

5. Carlos Sainz – 93 points

6. Oscar Piastri – 53 points

7. George Russell – 44 points

8. Lewis Hamilton – 35 points

9. Fernando Alonso – 33 points

10. Yuki Tsunoda – 15 points

11. Lance Stroll – 11 points

12. Oliver Bearman – 6 points

13. Nico Hulkenberg – 6 points

14. Daniel Ricciardo – 5 points

15. Esteban Ocon – 1 point

16. Kevin Magnussen – 1 point

17. Alex Albon – 0 points

18. Zhou Guanyu – 0 points

19. Pierre Gasly – 0 points

20. Valtteri Bottas – 0 points

21. Logan Sargeant – 0 points

Kieran Jackson19 May 2024 17:18

Race report: Max Verstappen holds off charging Lando Norris to take victory in Imola

Verstappen crossed the line just 0.725 seconds clear of Norris in Imola to take his fifth victory from the seven rounds so far.

Charles Leclerc finished third for Ferrari, one place ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri with Carlos Sainz fifth. Lewis Hamilton and George Russell finished sixth and seventh respectively for Mercedes.

Verstappen looked to be on course to claim a comfortable win, but Norris’ superb charge in the closing stages left the Dutchman sweating inside his all-conquering Red Bull.

After the sole round of pit-stops, Verstappen held a steady lead of around six seconds, but a turgid race suddenly came alive when Verstappen could offer little response to Norris’ speed.

Full piece below:

Kieran Jackson19 May 2024 17:01

Always such great insight in the cool-down room!

Kieran Jackson19 May 2024 16:45

Red Bull boss Christian Horner:

“Lando was coming on very strong! He started to catch us very quickly. The cars are converging, they’re becoming very similar. It’s always going to happen when you’ve got stable rules.

“On Friday night, we were thinking second row would be a good result. The team collectively have done a great job this weekend! Max was pushed very hard by Lando, two guys at the top of their game, like Tyson Fury last night, fantastic racing!

“Things don’t stand still in Formula 1, we’ve won five of the seven races but McLaren and Ferrari have made a step, we’re going to need that rate of development coming through.

“Monaco, completely different venue. Qualifying, race is won virtually on Saturday.”

Kieran Jackson19 May 2024 16:33

Time for the podium!

Back to the familiar combo – the Dutch and Austrian national anthems to celebrate Max Verstappen and Red Bull’s victory!

Quite the scene at Imola, with thousands of fans on the track! Needless to say, biggest cheer was for Charles Leclerc’s appearance on the podium!

Leclerc, incidentally, now moves past Sergio Perez and up to P2 in the drivers’ championship!

Kieran Jackson19 May 2024 16:21

Charles Leclerc after his first podium at Imola:

“At least it’s a podium, I’m only very happy when I win. We didn’t quite make it. I tried to push to put pressure on Lando but they were incredibly quick.

“It’s looking good for the rest of the season. Monaco is going to be very special of course, as special as here in Imola. A lot of red!”

Kieran Jackson19 May 2024 16:12

Lando Norris after finishing second:

“One or two more laps I think I would’ve had him. Tough, shame. Lost out a bit too much to Max in the beginning, it was a tough first half and much better second half. Just not today.

“We’re at a point now where we’re in the position of Ferrari and Red Bull, it’s what we have to get used to. It’s business as usual, focusing on doing the same things, fighting for first or second now. It’s frustrating not to win but after the improvements we made it’s what we should expect.”

Kieran Jackson19 May 2024 16:04