Verstappen and Hamilton clashed at the race's opening corners, with the latter then having to put in a recovery drive after sliding off into the gravel at the Tosa hairpin just before the red flag shortly before half distance thanks to the massive accident involving his Mercedes teammate. Rain falling in the first half of the Imola lap in the hour ahead of the race start meant most of the cars left the grid on intermediates. From third at the start, Verstappen made a perfect getaway to pull alongside Sergio Perez when the lights went out, and was quickly able to pull alongside polesitter Hamilton – nearly running onto the grass on his left-hand side – as they shot down to the Tamburello chicane. Verstappen was ahead by the braking zone by Hamilton braked later to stay on the outside and the pair went side-by-side around the first left part of the sequence. The Red Bull held the racing line and when Hamilton determinedly kept his nose alongside they clashed at the … [Read more...] about Emilia Romagna GP: Verstappen wins, Hamilton recovers to second