What a pass! Verstappen wins Imola sprint race after brilliant overtake on Leclerc

Max Verstappen won Saturday's Sprint race after dramatically passing Charles Leclerc on the penultimate lap. Verstappen started from the front at Imola before losing the lead to Leclerc following a slow getaway.

But after a frantic conclusion to the 21-lap dash, Verstappen ruined Ferrari's homecoming party by fighting his way ahead of Leclerc at the Variante Tamburello to take the chequered flag and pole position for Sunday's (24 April) Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

But there was further misery for Lewis Hamilton after he started 13th and finished only 14th.

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A commanding lead

Sergio Perez took third ahead of Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, with Lando Norris fifth for McLaren. Leclerc is now 40 points clear of second-placed Sainz in the standings, with Hamilton 51 points back.

And with the full quota of points available for Sunday's Grand Prix, Hamilton's hopes of getting back into this year's championship fight could be all-but over after just four rounds.

READ: F1 WRAP | 2022 Imola Grand Prix - Verstappen wins Sprint Race after late charge on Leclerc

World champion Verstappen secured pole in Friday's rain-hit qualifying, but the Dutchman was slow away from his marks, and the in-form Leclerc took advantage.

The Monegasque, chasing Ferrari's first drivers' world title in 15 years, roared past Verstappen's Red Bull before beating his man into the opening chicane - his move greeted by a chorus of cheers from those supporters dressed in red.

That winning moment! ??Max left no stone unturned in his quest for victory against championship leader Charles Leclerc! ??#ImolaGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/lJhc1xSQFc

Further back, Hamilton's getaway was sufficient, but