Max Verstappen completed a bold and brilliant move on Oscar Piastri around the outside of the first corner to snatch the lead as Sunday’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix got under way in dramatic style.
Piastri initially held his pole position advantage off the line, while Verstappen worked hard to keep Mercedes rival George Russell at bay, but the tables were turned as the field approached the Tamburello chicane.
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Thanks to some brave, late braking and supreme car placement, Red Bull racer Verstappen got on terms with Piastri at the left-hander and muscled his way past before the subsequent right-hander – the McLaren playing its part in keeping things clean.
Behind, a frustrated Russell got boxed into third position over the other McLaren of Lando Norris, followed by Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and the two Williams machines.
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