21/05/2025

SPORTS WEDNESDAY | MAY 21, 2025

29

Love struck at Imola at Imola Hamilton revels in ‘sea of red’ reception from Ferrari fans

Three things we learned from Imola MAX VERSTAPPEN added another coat of steel to his reputation as F1’s fastest and boldest driver and confirmed a need for “old school” circuits with his commanding fourth consecutive win at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari on Sunday. His second victory this year, in the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, on a demanding, fast and technical track – he also produced a stunning triumph at Suzuka in Japan in April – kept him in the drivers’ title race and proved McLaren remain a beatable team. Here’s a look at three things we learned from Sunday’s engaging race where home support inspired a spirited Ferrari revival in their heartland. PHENOMENAL FORCE VERSTAPPEN The 27-year-old Dutchman swooped to conquer with the move of the race at the first corner, the once-grand Tamburello, now a chicane, and enjoyed some luck with safety cars as he cruised to a masterful win, his 65th, in Red Bull’s 400th Grand Prix. A supreme competitor who needs no stimulation, Verstappen proved he remains the sport’s best driver, capable of exceeding the potential of his fickle car, and in so doing offered a reminder of why tight historic circuits must remain on the calendar. McLaren came into the race as the team to beat. Oscar Piastri led Lando Norris by 16 points in the title race and they were out on their own in the constructors’title race. They then reeled off three 1-2s in the practice sessions. But Verstappen found a way to extract enough vim from his machine to take second place on the grid and then steal the lead with his audacious pass of pole-sitter Piastri. This time, McLaren had no answer. Piastri, who finished third behind Norris, admitted he was caught out and will learn a lesson. It was the first time this season that the four-time champion had won a direct duel with him. “I thought I had it under control, but it was a good move from Max,” he said. “So, I’ll learn for next time. Then, our pace wasn’t as strong as expected. I should have braked 10 metres later. That’s it. Live and learn.” After seven races, Verstappen is only 22 points adrift of Piastri ahead of this week’s Monaco Grand Prix where Red Bull have won four of the last six events. HAMILTON FINDS HIS MOJO After six difficult weekends at the season opening “flyaway” races, Lewis Hamilton rediscovered his mojo to finish a spirited fourth for Ferrari at the track named after the team’s founder. To the delight of Imola’s record weekend attendance, mostly draped in red, the seven time champion found the performance tweaks he sought to beat teammate Charles Leclerc for the first time. “The set-up was great, the car felt mega and the team did a fantastic job,”said Hamilton, 40.“It was a lot of pressure on us after struggling so far, particularly in qualifying. “I don’t remember the last time I had a race like that and I’m sure it felt different to be in the red car! It’s a great feeling to have that connection and synergy.” IMOLA DESERVES A FUTURE Cramped, old and outdated, maybe, but Imola oozes history and passion – and is loved by drivers and teams as an “old school” challenge that embraces danger and offers no forgiveness for errors. Sadly, Sunday’s race may have been its last on the Formula One calendar as the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, a storied venue where there are kerbs, gravel traps and tales of tragedy, is threatened by a host of modern corporate city events bidding to join the ever-swelling list of races. Like Silverstone, Monza, Monaco and Spa Francorchamps, however, it is a track that rewards the best and it was no coincidence that Sunday’s race saw the top drivers rise to the occasion. AFP

Ferrari F1 driver Lewis Hamilton gestures to supporters before the 2025 Emilia Romagna GP on May 18. – AFPPIC

Ű BY SCOTT HUNT

took a picture of where there’s a memorial of Ayrton (Senna). “Just a sea of red everywhere. It was just really very reminiscent of when I was growing up watching, sitting at home on my couch, with a sandwich watching Michael Schumacher here racing with Ferrari and seeing the connection he had with Ferrari. “It was quite an incredible experience to think that I’m now here in one of the two Ferraris and having that connection with such a passionate group of people. It’s unbelievable. “The love that the Italian fans have – for Silverstone it’s a connection more so with me, being a Brit, which is super special and I love it. “This one is like, you can just see how passionate people are for Ferrari. The red car comes and they get so excited, ‘red, red!’” Hamilton dropped a place on the opening lap but ran a long first stint on the hard tyres, finding himself seventh after the virtual safety car was triggered on lap 29. Moves on Kimi Antonelli and Isack Hadjar lifted Hamilton to fifth and, after pitting when

the full safety car came out for Antonelli’s exit, he moved ahead of teammate Leclerc to come home fourth. Leclerc finished sixth following a late tussle with Alex Albon and Hamilton sees positives for Ferrari ahead of next weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix. “I’ve always loved when you’re fighting from further back and coming through. That’s how I started off as a kid,” he added. “That’s always such a better feeling than starting first and finishing first. “An absolutely mega race and so many positives to take from it. “We have just got to unlock the potential in qualifying. If we had qualified better, we would have been fighting for a podium. “I’ve got some ideas that I’m going to try and apply next week. “People have been a little bit reluctant to do it, I think because we’ve had lots of other things to focus on, but I’m hoping next week we can find something to unlock some more performance.” – The Independent “When the team is winning and winning they have to figure out how everything happens but they are not happy. “They are here to play and, when they don’t play, they are not satisfied. That is the normal position in all the clubs.” One player definitely leaving is Kevin De Bruyne, who is set to make his final home appearance for the club in the overnight Premier League clash with Bournemouth. The 33-year-old midfielder is out of contract in June and will depart after a glorious decade at the Etihad in which he has won 16 trophies. Despite the Belgian’s claim he is still good enough to play in the Premier League, Guardiola believes the time is right to move on after injuries and poor form reduced his effectiveness over the last two years. “There are players who are really difficult to replace, really, really difficult for many reasons,” he said. “We know that but the season we have done is the season we have done and we cannot deny it. Of course we have to move forward.” – AFP in the last three seasons, can add an attacking threat and also qualifies as a homegrown player in England after coming through Manchester City’s youth system. His departure would continue the exodus from Leverkusen, with manager Xabi Alonso headed to Real Madrid and defender Jonathan Tah and attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz also likely to leave. Liverpool are set to have a busier summer in the transfer market than last year, when their only buys were goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and winger Federico Chiesa, with Frimpong potentially the first of several signings. – The Independent

L EWIS HAMILTON basked in an “unbelievable” connection with the Ferrari F1 fans after recovering from an awful qualifying to finish fourth on Sunday in his first home race for the Scuderia . The seven-time world champion admitted he was “devastated” after being eliminated in the second part of qualifying on Saturday to line up 12th on the grid, one place behind teammate Charles Leclerc. But the 40-year-old showed great pace amid a chaotic Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, fighting through a virtual and full safety car to come home just one place adrift of the podium. Hamilton was thrilled to offer some joy to the 242,000 fans at Imola, almost all of whom were backing the Scuderia . “It’s been incredible, what an amazing experience,” Hamilton said. “Already just like on the drivers’ parade lap, all the drivers were all doing their normal talking, but I really wanted to see what… I even JEREMIE FRIMPONG is set to join Liverpool, providing the Bayer Leverkusen right-back passes a medical. The Netherlands international has agreed personal terms and is expected to sign a five year deal as Liverpool will make him the replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold. They are set to trigger the €35 million (RM193m) release clause in his contract with the 2024 Bundesliga champions and make him the biggest buy of Arne Slot’s reign so far. Liverpool also awarded Conor Bradley a favour with Guardiola since his starring role in City’s 2023 treble-winning campaign. The 29-year-old has made just seven Premier League starts this term and was left on the bench as City crashed to a shock 1-0 defeat in Saturday’s FA Cup final against Crystal Palace. That snub has fuelled speculation that the England winger could leave the Etihad Stadium during the summer transfer window. Guardiola said discussions will take place between outgoing director of football Txiki Begiristain, his successor Hugo Viana and Grealish’s representatives before deciding if he will still be with City next season. Ű BY RICHARD JOLLY MANCHESTER CITY boss Pep Guardiola will make a decision on Jack Grealish’s (pic) future at the end of the season. Grealish has fallen out of

Grealish future under spot light

“We didn’t talk, I didn’t talk with him,” Guardiola told reporters yesterday.

“People don’t believe me but these things belong to the agents and the club and Txiki, and in this case Hugo as well. Both will decide. “What is going to happen will happen, but he has to come back to start to play minutes again.” Guardiola accepts former Aston Villa star Grealish, who has two years remaining on his contract, will not be happy about his lack of action. “It’s not only Jack. There is not one player in my locker room, and I think all the locker rooms around the world, that is happy when they do not play,” he said.

Frimpong set for Liverpool medical as deal edges closer

new four-year contract, which the Northern Ireland international signed on Sunday, as they plan for life after Alexander-Arnold, who rejected a lucrative new deal and will instead move to Real Madrid. But while Bradley has done well as Alexander-Arnold’s deputy, they also acted swiftly to buy a new rightback with Frimpong, who also helped Leverkusen win the German Cup and reach the Europa League final last season, available for a relatively low fee thanks to his release clause, and within his camp, there is confidence the deal to take him to Anfield is done. The 24-year-old, who has scored 28 goals