Christian Horner, the Red Bull boss, has been raving about Max Verstappen’s amazing move on polesitter Oscar Piastri at the start of the Formula 1 Imola Grand Prix. He described it as a “win it or bin it” maneuver that ultimately led to Verstappen’s victory in the race. Verstappen made the overtake around Tamburello on the opening lap and went on to control the pace of the race, despite facing challenges like a safety car restart and a virtual safety car period.
This win marks Verstappen’s second victory of the year and has narrowed the gap between him and championship leader Piastri to just 22 points. Horner expressed his relief at the result, especially after a slow start for the team following their loss of the constructors’ championship title to McLaren last season. He sees this victory as a morale boost for the team, coming at a crucial time as the F1 season transitions to a period of predominantly European races.
Speaking about the race, Horner highlighted the importance of Verstappen’s bold move at the start, which set the tone for the rest of the race. He commended Verstappen’s ability to seize opportunities and make decisive moves when needed. Despite facing challenges like the VSC and safety car periods, Verstappen maintained his pace and control throughout the race, ultimately securing a well-deserved victory.
Horner also noted his surprise at McLaren’s lack of performance during the race, considering their strong showing in practice sessions leading up to the Grand Prix. He attributed Red Bull’s success to getting their car into the right balance and maximizing their performance on race day. The team’s ability to outperform McLaren and maintain a strong pace throughout the race was a testament to their hard work behind the scenes.
As the season progresses, Horner believes that Red Bull is gaining momentum and building on their strong performance in Imola. He pointed out the internal rivalry between Lando Norris and Piastri at McLaren, suggesting that it may cost them points in the long run as self-interest could outweigh team interests. Despite the close competition between the McLaren drivers, Horner sees it as a potential weakness that could be exploited by other teams in the championship.
Overall, the Imola Grand Prix proved to be a significant milestone for Red Bull, with Verstappen’s victory showcasing the team’s potential and determination to succeed in the F1 championship. With a renewed sense of confidence and momentum, Red Bull looks set to continue challenging for top honors in the races to come.
