F1 Imola GP 2024 LIVE: Race results, standings and updates as Max Verstappen holds off Lando Norris

Verstappen wins from pole at the Emilia Romagna GP despite Norris’ late surge for the win

Lando Norris returns to McLaren HQ after Miami Grand Prix triumph

Max Verstappen held off a dramatic Lando Norris fightback to win the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

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.

Follow latest updates from the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix with The Independent

F1 EMILIA ROMAGNA GRAND PRIX - LATEST UPDATES

• Max Verstappen wins the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix; Norris 2nd; Leclerc 3rd
• Click HERE for the top-10 at Imola
• CLOSE! Norris almost catches Verstappen in the final laps
• START! Max Verstappen holds off Lando Norris at the start
• Fernando Alonso started in the pit lane
• Oscar Piastri was handed a three-place grid drop for impeding Kevin Magnussen in qualifying
• PREVIEW: The key steps for Lando Norris to become an F1 title contender

[19 May 2024 15:19 · Kieran Jackson]

Lando Norris cuts gap to Max Verstappen (Lap 56/63)

Wow, wow, wow. Norris is carving this Verstappen lead - it’s now just two seconds!

Can Lando win this?! The pace he has found has been incredible!

Seven laps to go...

(Getty Images)

[19 May 2024 15:16 · Kieran Jackson]

George Russell pits (Lap 54/63)

Russell pits - 2.2 seconds - for what is effectively a free pit stop!

He comes out still in seventh, dropping a place behind Hamilton ahead of Perez, and could well look to set the fastest lap now with fresh rubber!

However, he’s now 22 seconds behind Hamilton and has lost a place!

[19 May 2024 15:15 · Kieran Jackson]

Lando Norris on radio (Lap 52/63)

“I’m pushing, yes yes yes!”

Gap to Verstappen now down to 4.2 seconds.

Top-10: Verstappen, Norris, Leclerc, Piastri, Sainz, Russell, Hamilton, Perez, Stroll, Tsunoda

[19 May 2024 15:14 · Kieran Jackson]

Max Verstappen leads but isn’t happy (Lap 51/63)

Verstappen: “Yeah my tyres don’t work mate!”

Norris has suddenly found some mate - and has cut the gap from six seconds to 4.5 seconds...

Can he get any closer?!

[19 May 2024 15:10 · Kieran Jackson]

Lando Norris holds off Charles Leclerc (Lap 48/63)

Leclerc got about within half-a-second - but no nearer!

Lando Norris doing enough, before Leclerc makes a mistake and cuts the chicane! The gap now back to two seconds between second and third.

Top-10: Verstappen, Norris, Leclerc, Piastri, Sainz, Russell, Hamilton, Perez, Tsunoda, Stroll

16 laps to go at Imola...

[19 May 2024 15:02 · Kieran Jackson]

Lando Norris under pressure from Charles Leclerc (Lap 43/63)

Big moment for the podium make-up here!

Leclerc is now within DRS of Norris, 0.8 secs the gap!

Can the McLaren - who has been short of pace today - hold off the Ferrari?!

[19 May 2024 14:59 · Kieran Jackson]

Sergio Perez moves up to P9 (Lap 41/63)

Perez quickly carving through the field, overtaking Ricciardo and Hulkenberg with ease.

Next in line? Yuki Tsunoda. A battle off track for the 2025 Red Bull seat could be on track in a few laps...

[19 May 2024 14:57 · Kieran Jackson]

Sergio Perez pits (Lap 39/63)

Red Bull listened to me!

They pit Perez and the Mexican drops to 11th on quicker, medium tyres, behind Daniel Ricciardo.

His progress will be interesting!

Top-10: Verstappen, Norris, Leclerc, Piastri, Sainz, Russell, Hamilton, Tsunoda, Hulkenberg, Ricciardo

Nobody in the top-10 is within DRS of the cat in front...

[19 May 2024 14:54 · Kieran Jackson]

Lewis Hamilton passes Sergio Perez (Lap 37/63)

Hamilton goes around the outside of the Red Bull and takes seventh place, with Perez’s hard tyres definitely falling off now!

When will Red Bull pit the Mexican?!

[19 May 2024 14:51 · Kieran Jackson]

Lando Norris radio exchange (Lap 35/63)

Norris: “Where am I so much slower than the guys behind?

Engineer: “Lando, they’re using their tyres massively more than us

Norris: “Yeah but I have no pace!”

The gap to Verstappen is 6.2 secs, with Leclerc behind him three seconds down the road.

4-10: Piastri, Sainz, Russell, Perez, Hamilton, Stroll, Magnussen