Red Bull celebrated their 400th F1 grand prix with victory as Max Verstappen won the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola in Italy.
The Dutch driver swiped the lead off pole sitter Oscar Piastri on lap one and duly dominated proceedings, stretching out a large advantage over the rest of the field and then rebuilding a comfortable advantage after a late safety car.
Victory from second was Verstappen’s fourth in a row at Imola, and Verstappen’s second of 2025 after he won the Japanese Grand Prix last month.
Meanwhile, teammate Yuki Tsunoda finished 10th, holding off Fernando Alonso to take the final point. The Japanese driver had to start from the pit lane after all-but destroying the car in a major crash in qualifying the day before, but was able to hold out to take a point, as he had at Miami last time out.
The results sees Verstappen maintain his status as the biggest threat to the championship-leading McLarens. In the Driver’s Championship, the Dutchman sits on 124 points, placing him 9 behind Lando Norris and 22 points behind championship leader Piastri.
Tsunoda has 10 points, sitting 12th in the standings. Meanwhile, in the Constructor’s championship, Red Bull remain third but close the gap to second place Mercedes to 16 points after the Milton Keynes-based team outscored their Brackley-based rivals. They sit 148 behind leaders McLaren.
Red Bull began the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix with two cars at either end of the field. Verstappen started second after narrowly missing out on pole to Piastri, while Tsunoda had to start in the pits in effectively a new car after the Japanese driver’s dramatic barrel roll crash in qualifying before he set a lap time.
On lap one, Verstappen had initially got a slower start and was at risk of being passed by the Mercedes of George Russell. But as the field approached the first breaking zone into the Tamburello chicane, Verstappen ended up launching a move and pulling it off, getting ahead of Piastri into the lead.
From there, Verstappen’s day was one of dominance. He was able to break the DRS gap quickly enough and was able to stretch out a lead until Piastri pit. From there, Verstappen ran long until a virtual safety car was deployed for a breakdown of Esteban Ocon’s Haas on lap 29, by which point Verstappen was 40 seconds clear of everyone else.
Things then changed again on lap 46, however, when Andrea Kimi Antonelli saw a loss of power in his Mercedes, which was treated with the full safety car. But after 7 laps behind the safety car, Verstappen was able to manage pace again. He bolted away on the restart and would eventually open up a lead of just over 6 seconds to runner-up Norris, who passed Piastri just after the restart.
As for Tsunoda, Red Bull kept him out long as well, with his fight ultimately being over the lower points positions. Eventually, a move on Nico Hulkenberg just after the Antonelli safety car combined with defensive moves to stay ahead of Alonso, who also passed Hulkenberg’s Sauber, did the trick for Tsunoda to take the final points position.
Red Bull will look to make it back-to-back wins for the first time in 2025 when F1 heads for the second part of a European triple header, with the field heading to the Monaco Grand Prix next weekend.
Milton Keynes City Council have announced a programme of 34 road resurfacing projects across the city will start next month.
The announcement is part of the City Council’s overall programme of road surface improvements this year.
Roads selected to be resurfaced were identified by engineers following a series of site inspections, and by analysing feedback from local people.
This has helped the City Council prioritise certain roads for specialist treatment to help prolong the life of the road surface and to reduce the chance of potholes appearing.
The roads included in this programme are:
Main Roads
- B5388 Yardley Road, Olney
- B565 Lavendon Road, Olney
- Filgrave Road (from A509 to Filgrave)
- H2 Millers Way (V5 to Briar Hill)
- Conniburrow Boulevard (V7 to V8)
- Oldbrook Boulevard (V6 to V7)
- Fishermead Boulevard (from V7 to Kellan Drive)
- Stoke Road, Bletchley
Knowlhill
- Davy Avenue
- Roebuck Way
- Kelvin Drive
Coffee Hall
- Johnathans
- Rochfords
- St Dunstans
- Garraways
- Daniels Welch
Netherfield
- Broadlands
- Farthing Grove
- Farmborough
- The Hide
- Beadlemead
- Langlands
Eaglestone
- Golden Drive
- Harrier Drive
Wolverton, Stacey Bushes & Greenleys
- Stacey Avenue
- Woodlands
- Victoria Street
- Southern Way
- Briar Hill
- Myrtle Bank
Residents directly affected in these areas will be written to confirm the expected date of resurfacing, at which point they may need to move any cars on the road. The City Council said they will also put advance notice boards out a few days before work starts.
Occasionally, work schedules need to change due to emergency repairs or poor weather, and anyone impacted is asked to check whether roadworks are still planned at One.Network
Resurfacing treatments being used will depend on the type and condition of the road, but the City Council stated that they will be either micro asphalt or surface dressing.
Micro asphalt is where a thin layer of asphalt emulsion and aggregate is applied to the existing road surface. Meanwhile, surface dressing involves spraying bitumen over the road surface and then spreading small stone chippings over the top.
Both methods are intended to help to protect the road, reducing the need for more extensive and costly repairs in the future. Road markings are reapplied afterwards once the surface has cured (set).
In addition, MK City Council stated that they may also do some pre-surfacing works to repair any larger defects before the surfacing begins.
The City Council’s resurfacing programme will run alongside repairs for reported potholes and other defects.
Cllr Jennifer Wilson-Marklew, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Highways and Transportation said, “By using a range of techniques we can extend the lifespan of our roads, reduce the need for frequent and disruptive repairs. This prevents potholes forming which is more sustainable and better for everyone.”
Drivers should take extra care when driving on a newly laid surface and follow any road sign instructions about speed limits and markings.
Milton Keynes-born football star Ben Chilwell has received an FA Cup medal as Crystal Palace surprised Manchester City.
Chilwell was an unused substitute for the Eagles, but received a medal as part of the squad that went to Wembley for the contest.
Crystal Palace were victors in the FA Cup final after a 1-0 victory over Manchester City, with the South London club winning the competition for the first time in their history.
Eberechi Eze’s goal was the winner for Oliver Glasner’s side, with goalkeeper Dean Henderson also saving a penalty by Man City’s Omar Marmoush in the first half.
The result sees Chilwell pick up his second winners medal in a major competition, having previously won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021. That occasion also saw his winning team beat Manchester City in the final, with Kai Havertz scoring the only goal of the game in Porto to win Chelsea the game and trophy on that occassion.
Palace’s victory also sees the defender add an FA Cup winner’s medal to his previously achieved runners-up medal, having been part of the Chelsea team that lost the 2021 FA Cup to Leicester City.
On Instagram, Chilwell voiced his delight, saying “Finally got my hands on the FA Cup! What a group”
Chilwell is on loan with Crystal Palace, having joined the Eagles on loan from Chelsea on transfer deadline day at the end of the January transfer window. He has made 10 appearances for the club, including games in three of the rounds of Palace’s route to FA Cup success.
After being born in Milton Keynes, the 28-year-old played for the Woburn Lions junior team as a child, before joining first Rushden & Diamonds and later Leicester at academy level.
He made his first team debut for Leicester City in the 2015-16 season, and moved from Leicester to Chelsea in 2020 for an undisclosed fee. He has also won 14 caps for England’s national team.
The organisers of the Reggae Land Festival held at the National Bowl in Milton Keynes just announced more acts for their 2025 edition.
Performers announced were the event’s final outstanding main stage headliners. Dexta Dapswill was announced for Saturday August 2nd, while dancehall star Mavado on Sunday August 3rd.
The pair of announcements sees the new names join a line-up the features over 90 artists set to perform across five vibrant stages at The Milton Keynes National Bowl on August 2nd and 3rd, 2025, as Reggae Land prepares to celebrate its fifth anniversary.
A further announcement is that of Little Lion Sound, who will take over the One Love Stage on Saturday with their infectious energy and signature selections.
Following a record-breaking edition in 2024, Reggae Land returns with enhanced production, and a jam-packed programme of reggae, dance hall, dub, jungle, and DnB —alongside art installations, a Caribbean food village with 70+ vendors, a reggae flea market & more.
With already announced names including Chronixx, Capleton, Steel Pulse, Gyptian, Alpha Blondy, Kabaka Pyramid, Protoje, Tanya Stephens, Spragga Benz, Morgan Heritage, Iration Steppas, Mungo’s Hi Fi, Mad Professor, and Aba Shanti I, Reggae Land 2025 promises a substantial array of artists across reggae’s myriad styles for all visitors.
Final tickets to the event went on sale on Friday 16th May at 9am. Tickets are priced at £69.50+ booking fee.
Reggae Land have said they expect to welcome 100,000+ attendees, making it one of the largest reggae festivals in Europe.
The organisers have said that signing up is essential for access to final tickets, and people can sign up via: reggaeland.co.uk
MK Dons have confirmed the departures of Nathan Harness, Ellis Harrison and Jack Tucker as part of the publication of their retained list.
The publication of the list at the end of the 2024/25 window confirmed the exits of the trio, who have not been offered new contracts by MK Dons and will leave the club on June 30th when their contracts expire.
Also leaving the club will be Danilo Orsi, with MK Dons choosing not to make his loan from Burton Albion into a full transfer. Fellow loanees Nico Lawrence, Tommi O’Reilly, Travis Patterson and Joe White will also depart Stadium MK upon expiry of their deals.
Academy graduates Joel Anker, Ronnie Sandford, Charlie Stirland and Albert Wood are also all set to leave MK Dons, as are scholars Jesse Bedford, Joshua Clark-Anderson, Isaac Olaleye and Corvell Pickering.
As for players that are staying, MK Dons confirmed they have triggered contract extensions for Craig MacGillivray, Phoenix Scholtz and Seb Stacey, all of whom will stay contracted with the club for the 2025/26 season.
Jonathan Leko and Connal Trueman are in discussions over potential contract extensions to stay with MK Dons.
Daniel Crowley, Alex Gilbey, Callum Hendry, Scott Hogan, Liam Kelly, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, Laurence Maguire, Aaron Nemane, Luke Offord, Jack Sanders, Sam Sherring, Nathan Thompson, Kane Thompson-Sommers, Joe Tomlinson, Callum Tripp, Jay Williams and Charlie Waller have full contracts to stay with MK Dons into the 2025-26 season.
Youngsters Michael Brammeld, Marcel Guzynski, Keon Lewis-Burgess, Chase Medwynter, Kobe Sinclair-Linton and Simone Troso have been added to the club’s development squad.
The Dons’ Sporting Director Liam Sweeting thanked the players who are leaving the club and confirmed work was underway to sign new players ahead of the upcoming campaign.
He said, “Firstly, I’d like to thank the players who are leaving us for their efforts while at Stadium MK. This includes the players we’ve had with us on loan this season, who have all contributed to the group. For our young players, this is never an easy time, and our excellent academy staff will ensure they are supported with the next step of their journey.
“We’re really pleased to welcome our new young pros into the development group, where they will be challenged and pushed to prepare for further opportunities, whether that will be making strides towards the First Team or going out on loan for further experience. We continue to support Phoenix Scholtz and Michael Brammeld with their return from long-term injuries, and the group will be an excellent landing spot to help them get back to full fitness.
“Finally, I’m pleased to see a core of players returning next season, and work has already begun to improve the squad further. As a club, we’ll be doing all we can to provide Paul Warne and his staff with the most competitive squad possible for 25/26.”
