Ferrari labelled a support act as Max Verstappen delivers hard lesson - International Media reacts

Ferrari was nothing more than a “support act” at their home race from Imola as it struggled for speed throughout the race weekend. 

It is no surprise that the Italian media, which has traditionally had little trouble criticising its beloved team when things go sour, have once again taken aim at the Maranello-based squad.

Elsewhere, media from Australia have reflected on Oscar Piastri losing the lead of the race on the opening lap to Max Verstappen.

They write that Piastri gave Verstappen an inch, who in turn, took a mile.

Here is how media from around the world reacted to the seventh round of the F1 season.

🇮🇹 Corriere della Sera - Ferrari pointed to its strong race pace without explaining reasons behind 'support act' status

Italian outlet Corriere della Sera took aim at Ferrari's pace during the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix after it qualified outside of the top 10 with both cars.

Although it managed to take steps forward in the race with Lewis Hamilton scoring fourth, the publication criticised the team for praising its Sunday pace “without providing a single explanation about the reasons that nail Leclerc and Hamilton among the supporting actors of Imola.”

It also called on the team to make a decision soon regarding allocating resources between the current car and the new challenger for 2026. If it delays the return of success, Corriere della Sera states Italians can “console ourselves with tennis, volleyball or football, rather than sit here waiting for gifts that never arrive.”

🇬🇧 The Sunday Times - 'A moment to appreciate Verstappen's talents'

The Sunday Times pointed to arguably the most pivotal moment of the race, when Verstappen made his way past Piastri on the opening lap.

Piastri conceded after the race he was too conservative on the run into the first corner, which allowed Verstappen to take advantage and fly around his outside and into the lead.

The publication writes that while Verstappen's on-track manoeuvres have been subject to scrutiny in the past, Sunday marked “a moment to purely appreciate his talent”. 

🇪🇸 El País - Alonso hit with a 'hammer blow' after strong early race form

Aston Martin introduced a sizeable upgrade at Imola that it hoped would see it progress up the pecking order after a difficult start to the season.

It got a massive boost in qualifying as both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll advanced to the top 10 shootout, with Alonso grabbing a top five starting position before labelling himself as the “unluckiest” driver after dropping out of the points.

Spanish outlet El País writes that it was a “hammerblow” for Alonso who was the victim of poor virtual safety timings. His seven-race streak scoring zero points has equalled his worst start to an F1 campaign.

🇦🇷 Clarín - Colpainto suffered 'reality check' on return to F1 grid with Alpine

Having ended the 2024 F1 season with Williams, Franco Colapinto returned to the grid with Alpine in place of Jack Doohan. Things, however, did not go to plan.

The Argentine lost control of his car at the end of Q1 and suffered a significant smash into the barrier, ending his session. Clarín states it was a “reality check” for the 21-year-old who was also involved in significant shunts last year.

Colapinto's main objective during the race was to gain experience and boost his confidence, rather than chase a result.

🇦🇺 Herald Sun - 'Verstappen may have burrowed back into Piastri’s noggin'

Imola did not mark the first time this year that Verstappen and Piastri went wheel-to-wheel into the first corner as in Saudi Arabia, Verstappen was run wide by his rival as they battled for the lead.

The Herald Sun in Australia writes it was a moment that Piastri flexed his muscles against Verstappen and highlighted speculation that the McLaren driver was starting to get inside the four-time champion's head.

With Verstappen making his own move stick last weekend, he “may have burrowed back into Piastri’s noggin”, according to the publication.