F1 Results Today: Lewis Hamilton launches stellar comeback as McLaren beaten at Imola Grand Prix
McLaren’s dominance was toppled by Max Verstappen at the Imola Grand Prix, as Lewis Hamilton launched a stellar comeback having before suffered a disappointing weekend in Italy.Both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc failed to make it into Q3 during qualifying, but the seven-time world champion battled his way back into the top 10 and beat his team-mate to claim P4 – his best grand prix result of the year
.During the final 10 laps of the race, Hamilton launched a huge comeback to overtake Alex Albon and Leclerc as he dedicated his result to the tifosi who had gathered in Imola.Verstappen snatched the lead from Oscar Piastri with a late brake overtake at Tamburello on Lap 1, and looked set to clinch the race victory from there.Piastri and McLaren attempted the undercut on Verstappen during the first round of pit stops, but a slow stop cost the Australian in his fight with the four-time world champion.McLaren’s woes continued when Esteban Ocon parked his Haas on the grass, which prompted a virtual safety car and the slowed down field – playing out perfectly for Verstappen.The Dutchman had not stopped yet and in doing so under VSC conditions, maintained his lead ahead of Piastri and Lando Norris, building a staggering 18 second gap by Lap 45.However, the Imola GP delivered another twist when Kimi Antonelli brought out a full safety car on Lap 46, after he stopped on the grass and reported an engine issue at Turn 7.Verstappen’s huge lead was wiped out as the field bunched up behind the safety car, and they readied themselves for a 10-lap sprint shootout at the end of the race.However, the champion remained composed and maintained his lead on the restart, pulling out a huge advantage as the McLarens squabbled behind him, helping Verstappen romp to the victory.Even Fernando Alonso felt the drama in Imola, and left the pits with his front left tyre ablaze after his brakes caught fire, but the Spaniard managed to continue in the race.
