In an exciting turn of events, Max Verstappen clinched victory at Imola, marking his first win in four races and breaking Oscar Piastri’s dominant streak with a thrilling overtake right from lap one. This win has positioned Verstappen as the only other driver, alongside Piastri, to secure multiple wins this season.
Verstappen’s triumph at Imola wasn’t just a demonstration of his driving prowess but also highlighted the significant advantage his team, Red Bull, seems to have in high-speed corners. Reflecting on the race, Max pointed out, “This track has quite a few high-speed corners, which I think our car likes.” He further added that the team had made strides in the car’s setup, suggesting that these adjustments were crucial for their performance success.
Before the race, Oscar Piastri, starting from pole position, was the favorite. However, Verstappen’s daring overtake early on threw a wrench in McLaren’s plans. The Dutchman maintained control throughout the race, seamlessly transitioning through the high-speed sections of the track. Verstappen himself admitted, “The initial start wasn’t that amazing, but then Turn 2, luckily, worked out quite well for me.” His cautious optimism stemmed from past experiences where the car’s pace wasn’t as promising despite leading.
Looking ahead, Verstappen was realistically cautious about the upcoming Monaco race, noting its stark contrast to Imola with its low-speed corners. “Monaco is, of course, very, very different… there’s a lot of low speed, but we’ll see,” Verstappen commented, aware of the challenges they faced there last year.
Verstappen’s victory wasn’t just about strategy but also about skillfully managing his vehicle and tires throughout the race. He shared, “I do think the car felt a bit nicer, a bit more controlled to drive now also in the long run, and that helped me, I think, also then look after the tyres probably a bit more than normal.” It was this kind of enhanced control that he believes aided in their standout performance at Imola.
Verstappen’s impressive win at Imola showcases Red Bull’s prowess in high-speed circumstances, yet there’s cautious optimism regarding upcoming races like Monaco where conditions change drastically. As the season progresses, the efficacy of Red Bull’s improvements will truly be tested across varying circuits.
