First-corner move set Max up for win

MAX Verstappen's brilliant openingcorner move on Oscar Piastri fired him to victory at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

- BY SCOTT HUNT, PA

The Dutchman clinched a fourth successive win at Imola in Red Bull's 400th race to end championship leader Piastri's threerace winning run after taking the lead at the first chicane.

Verstappen was in control of the race but had to see off a late challenge, after a safety car slashed his lead, to clinch his second win of the season.

McLaren opted not to order Piastri to allow Lando Norris past in a bid to challenge Verstappen but the British driver ultimately made a brave move on his teammate with five laps to go to finish second.

Piastri's lead to Norris was cut to 13 points, with Verstappen now 22 points behind the Australian.

Ferrari recovered from a dismal qualifying - starting 11th and 12th - with Lewis Hamilton fourth in his first home race for the Scuderia and Charles Leclerc sixth.