'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Imola Grand Prix had absolutely everything. Rain, spins, red flags and amazing wheel-to-wheel action between the drivers. Eventually, it was Red Bull's Max Verstappen who took the checkered flag at the Imola Grand Prix, registering his first win of the 2021 season. It was a comfortable win for Max Verstappen, who controlled the race after the red flag, finishing 22 seconds ahead of Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton.
The Imola Grand Prix had a wet start. However, Verstappen had an amazing getaway from P3 and led the race at the end of lap 1. Since then, the Dutchman never looked back. The race produced a red flag on lap 33 after George Russell collided with Valtteri Bottas while trying to overtake the Mercedes.
Verstappen was in complete control following the restart. After defending against a rapid Lando Norris, the Dutchman went unchallenged and cruised to the checkered flag.
Lewis Hamilton came home in second place but it wasn't smooth sailing for the seven-time world champion. While trying to overtake Verstappen, Hamilton made an uncharacteristic error at Tosa which dropped him down to P8.
The Imola Grand Prix had a thrilling end as well. Lando Norris defended bravely from Hamilton and then against Charles Leclerc to finish P3, giving McLaren their first podium in 2021.
2021 Imola Grand Prix race results
Below is the final race classification for the 2021 Imola Grand Prix:
1 Max Verstappen (NED) 33 Red Bull Racing Honda
2 Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 44 Mercedes-AMG Petronas (fastest lap)
3 Lando Norris (GBR) 04 McLaren Mercedes
4 Charles Leclerc (MON) 16 Scuderia Ferrari
5 Carlos Sainz (ESP) 55 Scuderia Ferrari
6 Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) 03 McLaren Mercedes
7 Pierre Gasly (FRA) 10 Scuderia AlphaTauri Honda
8 Lance Stroll (CAN) 18 Aston Martin F1 Team (5 second time penalty post race)
9 Esteban Ocon (FRA) 31 Alpine F1 Team
10 Fernando Alonso (ESP) 14 Alpine F1 Team
11 Sergio Perez (MEX) 11 Red Bull Racing Honda
12 Yuki Tsunoda (JAP) 22 Scuderia AlphaTauri Honda (5 second time penalty)
13 Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) 07 Alfa Romeo Racing (30 second time penalty post race).
14 Antonio Giovinazzi (ITA) 99 Alfa Romeo Racing
15 Mick Schumacher (GER) 47 Haas F1
16 Nikita Mazepin (RUS) 09 Haas F1
17 Sebastian Vettel (GER) 05 Aston Martin F1 Team*
DNF Valtteri Bottas (FIN) 77 Mercedes-AMG Petronas
DNF George Russell (GBR) 63 Williams Racing
DNF Nicolas Latifi (CAN) 06 Williams Racing
*DNF but classified because driver completed 90% of the race distance.
Coming up after the Imola Grand Prix
Following the Imola Grand Prix, we now have a two-week break before Formula 1 returns to Portimao for the Portuguese Grand Prix.
