Emilia Romagna Grand Prix 2022 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Max Verstappen dominated the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola to claim his first Grand Slam of the season, as Charles Leclerc's championship challenge suffered a major setback with a costly error. The Red Bull driver led from pole position to the chequered flag, setting the fastest lap and leading every lap of both the sprint race and grand prix to deliver a perfect weekend. Sergio Perez completed a Red Bull one-two finish, while Lando Norris secured an impressive third place for McLaren.

The race was marred by treacherous wet conditions early on, with rain falling just before the start. On lap 53, while running second and trying to close the gap to Verstappen, Leclerc lost control at the high-speed Variante Alta chicane and spun into the barriers. The costly mistake came as the championship leader pushed too hard on worn tires, dropping him from second to sixth place after pitting for repairs. The error, combined with Verstappen's dominant victory, swung the championship momentum decisively in Red Bull's favor.

The race also featured a frightening incident involving Valtteri Bottas and George Russell, who collided heavily at high speed while battling for position. Both drivers were fortunate to walk away unharmed, though they engaged in a heated blame game afterward. The Safety Car period that followed allowed Leclerc to unlap himself, but his earlier spin had already cost him dearly. The result cut Leclerc's championship lead to just 27 points and marked the beginning of Red Bull's sustained title charge, as their reliability issues were finally resolved.