2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix race report and highlights: Verstappen holds off thrilling late charge from Norris to win Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix | Formula 1®

Verstappen was reporting that his front left tyre was “not good” by Lap 21, while Russell made a stop for the hard compound one lap later. A flurry of action followed in the pit lane as Norris soon pitted from second place, putting the McLaren back out on track in P7 behind Perez.

Ferrari, meanwhile, looked to be trying the overcut given that Norris had found himself in traffic, though the Briton had already managed to clear Perez within a matter of laps. Piastri had also stopped before sweeping past Stroll for P7 after returning to the track, with the Australian showing strong pace.

Race leader Verstappen soon made his stop, while the Scuderia brought Leclerc in one lap later, leaving Sainz and Hamilton out front as both had not yet pitted. Leclerc and Piastri quickly picked off Perez, while Sainz and Hamilton each made their pit stops on Lap 28.

Sainz slotted into sixth behind Piastri and Perez, something that would surely please the McLaren team as the Ferrari now had to find a way past the Red Bull. Further back, Tsunoda pulled off an impressive overtake on Sargeant, with the Williams yet to make a pit stop.

As the race headed towards its halfway point, Verstappen held the lead from Norris, Leclerc and Piastri, while Sainz had got ahead of Perez – still going long on his first stint – for fifth place. The Mexican might be known for his ‘tyre whisperer’ qualities, but his set of hards looked to be fading.