Piastri demoted to second place while Verstappen rises up

21:17, 20 May

bySavannah Lenz

Max Verstappen won the Imola Grand Prix after gaining the lead on the first lap. He impressed the judge's panel so much that he was awarded the highest score on the grid and the highest overall.

Verstappen received a 10 out of 10 for his performance at the Imola Grand Prix. The judges said, "Verstappen headed into the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix knowing the first corner would be crucial in his quest to beat Oscar Piastri to victory."

"The reigning four-time World Champion delivered when it mattered with an audacious move around the outside. In the words of his team boss, Christian Horner, it was a “win it or bin it” manoeuvre. From there, he was simply untouchable."

Alexander Albon was ranked the second highest with a 9.2. Albon finished in fifth place after a small skirmish with Charles Leclerc. However, he was in third place for a while. Despite not making the podium, it was a good race from the Williams driver.

McLaren only sixth and seventh

While Verstappen received the highest score and praise, the McLaren duo were given a 7.8 (Lando Norris), and a 7.6 (Oscar Piastri).

About Norris's performance, they said, "Lando Norris was left to review another below-par Qualifying session at Imola, having finished behind team mate Piastri, Verstappen and George Russell’s Mercedes. The race worked out better for the Briton, though, with a long first stint bringing him back into contention and a stop under the late Safety Car putting him on fresh tyres through to the finish – rubber he made the most of to grab P2 from Piastri."

Norris came sixth just ahead of Piastri who was tied for seventh with Fernando Alonso.

"Piastri did everything right in qualifying to set up the prospect of a fourth straight win for McLaren that would have equalled Ayrton Senna’s long-standing record."

"However, Verstappen’s stunning pass at the start scuppered that plan – the Australian admitting post-race that he simply braked too early. Misfortune with the VSC caused more problems, and P3 ultimately represented solid damage limitation."

See where the drivers fall after seven races down below!