Rosberg hails ‘relentless’ Verstappen in sprint charge

2016 World Champion Nico Rosberg hailed a typically relentless Max Verstappen attack in Imola, while he fears for Ferrari and their tyre life.

As sprint qualifying returned for 2022, Verstappen was presented with a vital opportunity to recover points, having suffered two costly retirements while running P2 at the Bahrain and Australian GPs.

Mercedes getting to grips with issues

Red Bull solve Verstappen issue

Alpine could find themselves in the mix

Signs that Leclerc is mastering the mental game

Can McLaren and Haas challenge at Imola?

Sprint Qualifying returns at Imola

Red Bull adamant they're in the title fight

Ferrari confirm Sainz for a further two years

Things can't get much worse for Aston Martin

He had the perfect starting place from pole, but it was championship leader Charles Leclerc who got the better start, jumping Verstappen and controlling much of the race.

In the latter stages though Red Bull told Verstappen over the radio that Leclerc was struggling with graining, and he duly closed in on the Ferrari driver, making the pass to take the lead.

From there Leclerc had no response as Verstappen controlled the final few laps and claimed P1 on the grid, along with eight valuable points.

It was a hunt very much out of the Verstappen playbook to Rosberg’s mind.

P1 in the sprint and some good points for the team We’re well underway but have to finish it all tomorrow pic.twitter.com/o07cFBIOKW

— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) April 23, 2022

“Verstappen, just typical, so relentless,” Rosberg told Sky Sports F1.

“It is like he is one of those guys you least want to see in your mirrors getting bigger and bigger because you know that guy is going to attack, giving it 100 per cent.

“That is what he did again with a