Verstappen holds off Norris to win Emilia Romagna GP

Max Verstappen is back in the winner's circle.

The three-time defending World Champion held off McLaren's Lando Norris at Sunday's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix for his fifth victory of the season.

"I think from where we started the weekend to now, we can be incredibly pleased with the pole and the win," Verstappen said.

Norris continued the momentum from his maiden win in Miami by finishing in second place, his third consecutive podium.

"Unlucky, almost," Norris told his team over the radio. "We just lost too much in the beginning, but another amazing weekend."

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc rounded out the podium, taking third. He's the first Ferrari driver since Michael Schumacher in 2006 to finish on the podium at Imola.

Verstappen hasn't gone more than two consecutive races without a win since the British and Austrian Grand Prixs in the 2022 season.