Verstappen takes Imola sprint win with late Leclerc pass

Max Verstappen won the first sprint race of the season after passing Charles Leclerc for the lead with two laps to go.

The reigning champion started from pole but launched poorly, gifting Leclerc the lead and allowing him to control much of the race.

But the 21-lap sprint was at the upper range of endurance for the soft-compound tire, and the Ferrari struggled more than the Red Bull machine in the final five laps.