Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has heaped praise on Max Verstappen for his “decisive” and “win it or bin it” pass on Oscar Piastri at the start of Sunday’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.
Piastri pipped Verstappen to pole position during Qualifying at Imola but their positions were dramatically swapped under braking for Turn 1 – the reigning four-time World Champion sweeping around the outside at the Tamburello chicane.
From there, Verstappen built a comfortable lead and managed Virtual Safety Car and full Safety Car periods to take the chequered flag first – scoring his and Red Bull’s second win of the season in the team’s 400th Grand Prix.
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix: Verstappen takes the lead on the race start with stunning move on Piastri
Reflecting on the start, and how Verstappen set up the drive to victory, Horner said: “I think maybe Oscar was more focused on [George] Russell. He left the slightest of gaps and Max just sent it – it was kind of win it or bin it. Again, he’s just so good in that situation where he just sees a gap and it’s so decisive for him.
“Thereafter, we just had the pace to pull out a gap. We had the margin on tyre deg that we could see we were in a bit better shape than the McLarens. Then obviously the VSC came out, that was at an opportune time, circa mid-race, and then the Safety Car came out, which was another essentially free pit stop for the first couple of guys.
“But at all times, Max had the pace. He was able to respond, it never felt that we were under pressure from behind, so a great performance. Overall, a very positive 400th Grand Prix.”
Given McLaren’s supreme start to the season, which saw them win five of the opening six races, Horner expressed his satisfaction – and encouragement – over the progress Red Bull appear to have made at recent events.
Verstappen never looked back after his decisive first-lap pass on Piastri
While Red Bull are still a whopping 148 points behind leaders McLaren in the Teams’ Championship, Verstappen is only 22 points adrift of Piastri in the race for the Drivers’ title.
“We’ve managed to put some performance on the car and get the car into a better window,” added Horner, following updates in Miami and at Imola. “As soon as you take away the sliding, you’re able to manage the temperature a lot better. That was really encouraging.
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“I mean, the McLarens on Friday again looked very, very fast on the long runs, but to have the pace that we did in the race today… it’s the first time I can remember in a long time we’ve had the pace to really pull away and out-deg the McLarens. It’s very encouraging and a great result for the effort that’s gone in behind the scenes.”
He added: “I think generally we’re getting a better grip [on the car] and a better understanding. I think the technical team have been working very hard on it. It’s been a very positive weekend. I think we’re gaining… we’re building a bit of momentum, which is important at this stage in the championship.”
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