Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner praised the “win it or bin it” manoeuvre from Max Verstappen on Oscar Piastri at the start of the Formula 1 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.
Starting second, Verstappen capitalised on a conservative approach into the Tamburello chicane from Piastri’s McLaren, but still needed to do a lot to complete the move.
Hanging the Red Bull around the outside, Verstappen found enough grip on the outside to sweep past the McLaren and into the lead, where he would stay until the chequered flag.
In doing so, Verstappen took victory on the occasion of the Milton Keynes-based squad’s 400th Grand Prix.
Speaking to media including Motorsport Week after the race, Horner cited Verstappen’s firmness in choosing to make the move as what helped it pay off.
“The start was pretty average,” he admitted.
“It was the first corner, and I think maybe Oscar was more focused on George Russell and he left the slightest of gaps and Max just sent it and it was kind of win it or bin it.
“And 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 degradation that we could see were in a better shape than the McLarens.
“Then 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 pitstop 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, it was a great performance.
“Overall, a very positive 400th Grand Prix.”
Horner ‘surprised’ by McLaren showing
Horner had a cheeky dig at McLaren, which flattered to deceive at Imola, the team having no answer for Verstappen’s pace.
Despite Verstappen’s cause being helped by a Virtual and full Safety Car, the Woking-based squad had very little recourse, which gave Horner reason to convey his incredulity.
“We were more surprised about McLaren’s lack of performance,” he said.
“We definitely got the car into a very good window in qualifying, and Max was certainly very positive about the balance and being able to lean on the rear of the car.
“That was certainly a positive and then that carried through.
“McLaren on Friday looked very, very fast on the long runs. But to have the pace that we did in the race today, I would say that’s probably, since certainly Brazil last year, which was obviously a wet race, that’s the first time I can remember in a long time we’ve had the pace to really pull away and out-deg the McLaren.
“So that’s very encouraging and a great result for the effort that’s gone in behind the scenes.”
Horner went into detail on where the RB21, which had several new updates at Imola, has improved in other areas as well.
“Generally, we’re getting a better grip and a better understanding, and I think that the technical team have been working very hard on it,” he explained.
“I think that that’s a second win, arguably we should have won in Jeddah, on the front row yesterday.
“So, it’s been a very positive weekend, and I think we’re building a bit of momentum, which is important at this stage in the championship.”
With Red Bull putting its primary focus into Verstappen, it can single out a single driver to push for glory, something that McLaren, with both Piastri and Lando Norris pushing towards the title, does not have.
Horner intimated this will prove to be an advantage that Red Bull could potentially exploit if the RB21’s pace continues.
“You’ve got two drivers that are fighting for a world championship,” he said. “At some point, self-interest will always outweigh team interest. That’s the conflict.
“So, they did a good job to not make contact. But it was commendable that they were allowed to race, but you could see it got pretty close.”
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