San Francisco Frontiers - Three things we learned from the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix

His second victory this year, in the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, on a demanding, fast and technical track –- he also produced a stunning triumph at Suzuka in Japan in April -– kept him in the drivers' title race and proved McLaren remain a beatable team.

AFP Sport looks at three things we learned from Sunday's engaging race where home support inspired a spirited Ferrari revival in their heartland.

Verstappen remains a phenomenal force

The 27-year-old Dutchman swooped to conquer with the move of the race at the first corner, the once-grand Tamburello, now a chicane, and enjoyed some luck with safety cars as he cruised to a masterful win, his 65th, in Red Bull's 400th Grand Prix.

but A supreme competitor who needs no stimulation, Verstappen proved he remains the sport's best driver, capable of exceeding the potential of his fickle car, and in so doing offered a reminder of why tight historic circuits must remain on the calendar.

McLaren came into the race as the team to beat. Oscar Piastri led Lando Norris by 16 points in the title race and they were out on their own in the constructors' title race. They then reeled off three 1-2s in the practice sessions.

But Verstappen found a way to extract enough vim from his machine to take second place on the grid and then steal the lead with his audacious pass of pole-sitter Piastri. This time, McLaren had no answer.

Piastri, who finished third behind Norris, admitted he was caught out and will learn a lesson. It was the first time this season that the four-time champion had won a direct duel with him.

"I thought I had it under control, but it was a good move from Max," he said. "So, I'll learn for next time. Then, our pace wasn't as strong as expected. I should have braked ten metres later. That's it. Live and learn."

After seven races, Verstappen is only 22 points adrift of Piastri ahead of this week's Monaco Grand Prix where Red Bull have won four of the last six events.

Hamilton finds his mojo

After six difficult weekends at the season-opening 'flyaway' races, Lewis Hamilton rediscovered his mojo to finish a spirited fourth for Ferrari at the track named after the team's founder.

To the delight of Imola's record weekend attendance, mostly draped in red, the seven-time champion found the performance tweaks he sought to beat team-mate Charles Leclerc for the first time.

"The set-up was great, the car felt 'mega' and the team did a fantastic job," said Hamilton, 40. "It was a lot of pressure on us after struggling so far, particularly in qualifying.

"I don’t remember the last time I had a race like that and I’m sure it felt different to be in the red car! It’s a great feeling to have that connection and synergy."

Imola deserves a place on the future calendar

Cramped, old and outdated, maybe, but Imola oozes history and passion – and is loved by drivers and teams as an "old school" challenge that embraces danger and offers no forgiveness for errors.

Sadly, Sunday's race may have been its last on the Formula One calendar as the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, a storied venue where there are kerbs, gravel traps and tales of tragedy, is threatened by a host of modern corporate city events bidding to join the ever-swelling list of events.

Like Silverstone, Monza, Monaco and Spa-Francorchamps, however, it is a track that rewards the best and it was no coincidence that Sunday’s race saw the top drivers rise to the occasion.

Y.Harris--SFF