Pink Bull nonetheless has hearth – no less than in Max Verstappen’s arms
After the Miami GP, Helmut Marko referred to as the hole to McLaren “miserable.” However simply two weeks later, Pink Bull confirmed it’s nonetheless very a lot a drive on this F1 season – effectively, no less than one Pink Bull. Max Verstappen as soon as once more demonstrated his brilliance within the RB21 and this time, it wasn’t a shock pole lap, however a decisive transfer in Flip 1 at Imola that made the distinction.
Although Oscar Piastri had the higher launch and George Russell handed Verstappen on the straight, the Dutchman was far braver on the brakes than his rivals. Sure, Piastri left the door open on the grippier racing line, however Verstappen nonetheless deserves full credit score. Much more spectacular was that he managed to drag away and protect his tyres higher than McLaren. Free air might have helped, however Pink Bull’s race tempo exceeded expectations.
Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing
Photograph by: Pink Bull Content material Pool
This win doesn’t imply Pink Bull’s issues have magically disappeared, but it surely does show two issues: first, the staff’s four-hundredth grand prix couldn’t have ended any higher. And second, so long as Verstappen has a aggressive automotive beneath him, he can by no means be dominated out.
– Ronald Vording
Alex Albon is among the stars of 2025 up to now
Sure, the top lead to Imola may have been higher and maybe Alex Albon may have proven extra persistence when attacking Charles Leclerc within the closing laps. Nonetheless, the Thai-Brit scored extra useful factors for Williams and continued his robust run of kind.
Williams stays one of many season’s largest surprises – and the truth that Albon is ready to struggle with Ferrari on advantage is outstanding. However greater than that, he’s persistently delivering for the staff. A lot has been fabricated from how essential this season is for him, particularly with Carlos Sainz arriving as his new teammate, and up to now, Albon is making a really convincing case.
– Oleg Karpov
Yuki Tsunoda piles stress on himself
Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda was brutally trustworthy after his qualifying crash. “Silly,” “ashamed”… he wasn’t making an attempt to make excuses. And honestly, it’s laborious to argue along with his evaluation.
Yuki Tsunoda, Pink Bull Racing
Photograph by: Pink Bull Content material Pool
Crashing in the beginning of Q1 is, certainly, a critical mistake – and any driver in a high staff ought to really feel ashamed after not solely ruining their very own shot at a good end result, but additionally creating further work for the mechanics and pointless prices for a staff nonetheless preventing for the championship with Verstappen.
Pink Bull’s administration is exhibiting persistence with Tsunoda, maybe having discovered from previous missteps – and up to now, there’s been no public criticism. However Yuki isn’t serving to his case.
– Oleg Karpov
Aston Martin exhibits indicators of progress
After a protracted wait, Aston Martin lastly launched a big improve package deal to the AMR25 – and the encouraging half is that it delivered. Each drivers made it into Q3, though neither was overly enthusiastic. “I believe for certain it’s higher, which is sweet. However we nonetheless want much more and 57 laps tomorrow, so we’ll see what the tempo is like,” mentioned Lance Stroll on Saturday.
The automotive appeared aggressive on the medium tyres utilized in qualifying, however the race turned out to be harder. Technique as soon as once more proved to be a weak spot, and the stint on laborious tyres confirmed that whereas the replace has moved the staff ahead, it’s nonetheless not sufficient to vary the image.
Whether or not this marks the start of a correct restoration stays unclear – for now, the progress is actual however restricted.
– Jose Carlos de Celis
Franco Colapinto falls quick, however exhibits promise
“He must be quick, not crash, and rating factors,” mentioned Flavio Briatore when outlining his expectations for Franco Colapinto at Alpine. Clearly, the Argentine didn’t fairly meet these targets in Imola.
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Photograph by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Photographs by way of Getty Photographs
Then once more, neither did his way more skilled teammate. Pierre Gasly confirmed robust tempo all through the weekend and reached Q3 for the fourth time this season. However a pricey mistake whereas defending ninth from Leclerc on lap three ended his possibilities of scoring factors.
Colapinto’s weekend was marked by a high-profile crash in qualifying – precisely the type of error he can’t afford, particularly given how final season ended. Till that second, although, he was edging nearer to Gasly’s one-lap tempo and made it into Q2. On Sunday, a 22-lap stint on mediums highlighted strong tyre administration. There’s nonetheless a protracted solution to go to satisfy Briatore’s requirements – however some encouraging indicators are already there.
– Federico Faturos
Pictures from Imola GP – Race
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