Max Verstappen has returned to winning ways in the Imola Grand Prix, but only after a thrilling conclusion with Lando Norris.
With the McLaren driver having prevailed in Miami earlier this month, there was optimism that he could challenge the Red Bull driver on Sunday.
For much of the race at Emilia-Romagna, it was a precession for Verstappen who successfully held his position at the first corner.
However, with 10 laps remaining, there were signs that Norris could close down a gap of 5.7 seconds, a margin that soon became fewer than two seconds.
The downside for Norris was that his tyres were slightly more worn than Verstappen's, almost leading to him pushing too hard in search of getting into DRS range.
He would only achieve that on the final lap, too late to mount a stronger challenge for the lead as Verstappen got over the line 0.725 seconds in front.
"I had to work for that! Anyway, we did a great race considering how the weekend started." 📻
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 19, 2024
Max debriefs on an intense final 10 laps from inside that Red Bull 😮💨#F1 #ImolaGP pic.twitter.com/tWNUpKP5vE
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc would collect the other podium place, but Oscar Piastri and Carlos Sainz Jr would switch positions on the grid to finish fourth and fifth respectively.
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell were sixth and seventh in the Mercedes, with Sergio Perez, Lance Stroll and Yuki Tsunoda completing the top 10.
What does it mean for the standings?
Verstappen now holds a 48-point lead over Leclerc in the standings, with Norris still six points adrift of third-placed Perez.
Sainz Jr is eight points adrift of fourth, with Piastri the best of the rest in sixth having created a nine-point advantage over seventh-placed Russell.
