A Photo Finish! Verstappen Wins Emilia Romagna GP Over Norris

Max Verstappen extended his lead in the Formula 1 championship on Sunday by winning the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix and fending off a charge from Lando Norris of McLaren.

Verstappen took the lead and maintained his lead over Norris until the very finish, when the McLaren driver put pressure on him once again. Despite this, Verstappen won by less than a second.

This year's Grand Prix event was the reigning champion's fifth victory in seven. Two weeks prior, Verstappen had lost to Norris in Miami.

The second position went to Norris. Sunday demonstrated why the McLaren squad is the most competitive opponent of Verstappen and Red Bull in this season. Third place went to Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.

With 20 of the 63 circuits remained, Verstappen of Red Bull looked to be coasting to victory with a 7.5-second lead, but McLaren's Norris mounted a spectacular charge to close within a second in an exciting finish.

Leclerc moves up to second place, after Verstappen, who now leads the world championship by 48 points. Just six points separate Norris and Perez in third place, who is leading by 60 points.