Red Bull deserved first one-two since 2016
Monday, 25 April 2022
Reigning Formula 1® champion Verstappen started on pole.
Max Verstappen felt Red Bull "were on it" at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix and thoroughly deserved their one-two.
Reigning Formula 1® champion Verstappen started on pole after winning Saturday's sprint race and he took maximum points at Imola by winning and setting the fastest lap.
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He cut Charles Leclerc's championship lead from 45 points to 27. The Ferrari driver span out from third when trying to take the bonus point from Verstappen and ended up finishing sixth.
That opened the door for Lando Norris to finish third, with Sergio Perez making it the first one-two for Red Bull since Malaysia in 2016.
"It's always tough to achieve something like that but already yesterday and the day before, we were on it and it was looking like a strong weekend," said Verstappen.
"Today, you never know with the weather how competitive you are going to be, but I think we did very well and this one-two is very deserved.
"The start was very important but afterwards, judging the conditions and when to swap to the slick tyres, because in the lead you have to always dictate the pace, and it's always a bit more difficult initially, but everything was well managed."
Perez defended brilliantly to keep Leclerc at bay after getting past him on the opening lap, though he was lucky DRS was not enabled until after he took a trip across the grass and gave the Ferrari a chance to close the gap.
"It was really intense! The fight since halfway through the race we were fighting, then it was all under control but then they start chasing us again with the stop and it was the fight again to warm up the tyres," said Perez.
"The most important thing today is to not make mistakes, because with these conditions it was so tricky out there. To get a one-two in these conditions, I think it is a great result for the team. We've been so unlucky at the start. It's been so difficult for us.
"I am very pleased to see everyone in my team smiling today."
Norris said: "It was an amazing race. An amazing weekend.
"I'm happy, the team deserves it. From where we were in race one to now scoring a podium, top job by the team. It's just hard work [from the team]. A lot of time of effort back in the factory and here at Imola.
"It was a mixture of tricky conditions, but we've been able to capitalise on that as well. But I love these conditions, so I always do quite well. Just a mixture of hard work and a great weekend and it all pays off."
Mighty Max 💪
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 24, 2022
What a weekend it's been for the Dutchman #ImolaGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/5ckvUFCGJl
