Max Verstappen & Red Bull Back in the Fight as Imola GP Weekend Delivers Exhilarating Updates to F1 Driver & Constructor Standings

As the fourth round of the Formula 1 2022 season comes to an end, the battle for the driver’s and constructors’ championship have become intense. Imola witnessed an incredible race with Max Verstappen taking home the honors, while teammate Sergio Perez finished second.

Red Bull secured maximum points on a weekend where they needed to show their strength. Meanwhile, Ferrari’s display disappointed the huge Tifosi crowd as Charles Leclerc finished 6th and Carlos Sainz, unfortunately, retired during the first lap.

Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes’ struggles continued as the seven-time world champion finished outside the points. At the same time, McLaren is right back in contention as Lando Norris rejoiced on the podium for the first time this season. With a stunning result for Red Bull, it is time to look at the standings after four rounds of enticing racing.

Max Verstappen is right back in contention for the driver’s championship

Ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Max Verstappen was placed sixth with just 25 points to his name. However, the reigning champion bounced back impressively as he gathered 8 points in the sprint race and further added 26 points to his tally after Sunday’s race. And their week got even better, as Leclerc’s spin during the last laps of the race meant the Monegasque finished P6.

Formula One F1 – Emilia Romagna Grand Prix – Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy – April 24, 2022 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen on the podium after winning the race REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini

As a result, Verstappen is right back in contention. He is second in the driver’s standings with 59 points to his name. Leclerc, meanwhile, is still 27 points ahead of the Dutchman despite only securing only 15 points this weekend. The battle for the championship is certainly getting intense.

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Sergio Perez is currently third with 54 points after an impressive second-place finish in Imola. Subsequently, George Russell dropped places in spite of achieving a P4 result. After an unfortunate retirement in Imola, Carlos Sainz occupies 5th while his former teammate Lando Norris’ podium propels him up to 6th in the standings.

DRIVER STANDINGS AFTER 4 ROUNDS

Leclerc ← 27 points → Verstappen #ImolaGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/3e4jIKypLc

— Formula 1 (@F1) April 24, 2022

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton’s struggles continued, and his hopes of an 8th title are slipping away. He is behind Norris and is followed by a resurgent Valtteri Bottas in 8th. Esteban Ocon and Kevin Magnussen complete the top 10 after solid starts to the season.

McLaren secures midfield stability in the constructors’ championship

Like the driver’s standings, it’s Red Bull vs Ferrari at the top of the constructors’ championship as well. The Prancing Horse were in a league of their own after three races. Nevertheless, Red Bull achieving maximum points means the Milton-Keynes outfit is now just 11 points behind Ferrari.

Mercedes is third with 77 points after Russell’s P4 finish. And McLaren tops the midfield with 46 points to their name despite Ricciardo’s poor result.

TEAM STANDINGS AFTER 4 ROUNDS

Red Bull up to P2, and trail Ferrari by just 11 points#ImolaGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/18atn4vOYN

— Formula 1 (@F1) April 24, 2022

On the other side, Alpine’s pace in the first three races was eye-catching, but Alonso’s retirement on Sunday did not do them any favors. They are now 6th with 22 points as Alfa Romeo’s has leapfrogged them after Bottas’ stunning P5 finish.

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Yuki Tsunoda gathered crucial points for AlphaTauri and now they are ahead of Haas in the standings. Aston Martin also moved up a position after securing double points in Italy. So, it pushes Williams to the bottom with just 1 point to their name.

With battles all across the grid, who will come out on top between Red Bull and Ferrari? Leave your predictions in the comments.

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