Max Verstappen won his fifth race of the 2024 Formula One season with victory at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
The Red Bull superstar qualified on pole for the seventh time this year on Saturday to put him at the front of the grid in Italy.
Verstappen has dominated the track in recent months and he crossed the finish line first yet again on Sunday – but only just with Lando Norris fighting him to the chequered flag.
It marks the continuation of what looks set to be another world championship winning season for the 26-year-old.
But his latest victory is made even more impressive considering he was partaking in another race just hours before the Grand Prix.
Verstappen was driving in the virtual Nurburgring 24-hour sim racing tournament with his Team Redline.
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Fans noticed he was behind the wheel for the race at 9am on the morning of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, with the Dutchman not one to rest.
Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the race, he said: “The stints were good. We’re still leading as well so the race is not done yet, it’s like one hour 45 [minutes] to go.
“So my teammates are out driving at the moment, I’m trying to follow here and there but it’s a lot of fun.
“Whenever I can, I try to race and this all worked out, it’s in Europe, I can bring my own simulator, so it helps.”
When queried if he’d had enough sleep, Verstappen assured fans he was okay to race.
He said: “Yeah, enough. I’d say enough. About seven hours, of course I would prefer to sleep a little bit more, but seven hours on a race day is absolutely fine, just looking forward to racing now.”
Despite his absence for the Grand Prix, Team Redline went on to win their virtual race on the iconic German track.
And just a couple of hours later, he won at Emilia Romagna to take his victory tally to five out of seven races so far this season.
Verstappen finished ahead of McLaren’s Norris and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, with the former close behind on the final lap.
It wasn’t an easy race for him though, with Verstappen heard saying on the team radio on lap 51: “My tyres don’t work mate.”
“That was hard work,” he admitted after but the Red Bull star still came out on top to keep him at the summit of the drivers’ championship once again.
News Summary:
- Max Verstappen claims incredible double victory as he wins Emilia Romagna Grand Prix ahead of Lando Norris despite sleep worries
- Check all news and articles from the latest Football updates.