Imola Grand Prix

F1 star forced into shock retirement at Imola Grand Prix

Sam Cook Sunday 18 May 2025 16:10 Updated: 16:58

F1 star forced into shock retirement at Imola Grand Prix

Esteban Ocon pulled to the side of the road completely out of the blue during the Imola Grand Prix, causing a virtual safety car as he retired from the race.

The Frenchman's Haas car seemed to still have its electrics in operational order, as reported by Sky Sports F1's Anthony Davidson, but he still had to pull over and have his car collected by marshals.

He became the first retirement of the Imola GP, underpinning what has been an awful weekend for Haas in Italy.

Both Ocon and Ollie Bearman failed to get out of Q1 in qualifying, leaving the team with an extremely tall order if they were to score a point in the grand prix, made even harder by Ocon's retirement.

Virtual safety car hands Verstappen advantage

The virtual safety car caused by Ocon's retirement played nicely into the hands of race leader Max Verstappen.

With Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri having already pitted, Verstappen was able to gain a free pit stop under the virtual safety car, and that helped him build a huge lead.

Later on in the race, a full safety car was also called for Kimi Antonelli, who also had to pull over to the side of the track and retire his Mercedes car after a loss of throttle control.

F1 HEADLINES: Lewis Hamilton issues devastating statement as star dismissed at Imola Grand Prix

Haas Esteban Ocon Imola Grand Prix Anthony Davidson Italy virtual safety car

Latest News

Latest F1 News

FIA announce penalty verdict for Ferrari star after late Imola Grand Prix drama

21 minutes ago

F1 Today

F1 News Today: Hamilton drama in Imola as F1 star hit by 20-place demotion verdict

31 minutes ago

Imola Grand Prix

'Max Verstappen would be FURIOUS with McLaren'- Imola Grand Prix Hot Takes

1 hour ago

Imola Grand Prix

F1 Results Today: Lewis Hamilton launches stellar comeback as McLaren beaten at Imola Grand Prix

2 hours ago

Imola Grand Prix

Mercedes F1 star Kimi Antonelli ruled OUT of Imola Grand Prix

2 hours ago

Imola Grand Prix

F1 star forced into shock retirement at Imola Grand Prix

3 hours ago

More news

F1 Race Calendar 2025

GP AUSTRALIA 14 - 16 Mar

GP BAHRAIN 11 - 13 Apr

Oscar Piastri

GP SAUDI ARABIA 18 - 20 Apr

GP MONACO 23 - 23 May

GP SPAIN 30 May - 1 Jun

GP CANADA 13 - 15 Jun

GP AUSTRIA 27 - 27 Jun

GP GREAT BRITAIN 4 - 6 Jul

Complete kalender 2025

F1 News 24/7

Races

About GPFans

GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.

We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.

With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.

Follow us on your favorite social media channel

Corporate & Media

Innovatieweg 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

F1 star forced into shock retirement at Imola Grand Prix

F1 star forced into shock retirement at Imola Grand Prix

Virtual safety car hands Verstappen advantage