Verstappen wins Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Red Bull finish 1-2 in Italy

Sergio Perez, teammate of Red Bull's Max Verstappen, comes in 2nd

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - Red Bull Racing team in Formula One were delighted over their success at the 2022 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, as Max Verstappen won the Sunday's race and his teammate Sergio Perez finished second in Italy.

In the first lap at Italy's Imola circuit, Carlos Sainz, one of the Ferrari drivers, was hit by McLaren's Daniel Ricciardo, and Sainz spun right after to be out of the race.

After a few laps, Alpine driver Fernando Alonso had to take an early pit stop. Like Sainz, he left the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix when one of the sides of his car was seriously damaged.

In lap 53, Ferrari's Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc was third, however, he spun after cornering and went into the barriers.

Verstappen was leading and Perez was in the second place once Leclerc had a minor crash and got his front wing damaged. Leclerc was in the eighth position when he exited the pit lane to carry on the race.

Red Bull's Dutch driver Verstappen, who started the race in the pole position, dominated Sunday's Grand Prix to win it.

Verstappen finished the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in one hour, 32 minutes and 07.986 seconds. It is Verstappen's second victory this season as he previously won the Saudi Arabian GP on March 27.

Perez was second at Imola as he finished 16.5 behind Verstappen.

McLaren's Lando Norris came in third as the gap between him and Verstappen was 34.8 seconds.

Meanwhile, seven-time World champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes team ended Sunday's race in the 13th spot.

Leclerc was unable to make it to the podium, but he is leading the 2022 Driver Standings with 86 points as he won in Bahrain and Australia.

Verstappen is now in the second spot as he has 59 points this season.

Perez is in the third position with 54 points so far.

Formula One will travel to Florida for the fifth round of the 2022 season.

The 2022 Miami Grand Prix will be run on May 8.

- 2022 Driver Standings after Emilia Romagna Grand Prix

- Top 5 drivers

1. Charles Leclerc (Monaco): 86 points

2. Max Verstappen (Netherlands) 59