Max Verstappen’s sensational start in Imola effectively won him the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, after he overtook polesitter Oscar Piastri into Tamburello corner.
The bold move was executed on Piastri after Verstappen had a bad start out of his box, coming under threat from Mercedes’ George Russell.
With Piastri covering the inside line to the corner, Verstappen went to the outside and took the lead of the race and effectively won it from there after being helped by a Virtual Safety Car.
It was a reminder that Verstappen is still in the hunt for the title, despite McLaren being the favourites after winning five of the first seven races.
Analysing Verstappen’s start on F1’s YouTube channel, Jolyon Palmer highlighted one aspect of Verstappen’s data that he thinks McLaren should take note of going forward, which effectively won him the corner on Piastri.
Max Verstappen rehearsed Tamburello move on Oscar Piastri
Data from the starts of both drivers shows that Piastri got the better launch, but it was Verstappen who made use of the reconnaissance laps to the grid to his advantage, according to Palmer.
“Verstappen has four laps to the grid before the race, Piastri had three. In all of them, Verstappen is more aggressive when he gets to the first corner. The third lap that Oscar does versus Verstappen’s fourth lap is interesting because now Max is really starting to lean on the car,” said Palmer.
“When you look at Max carrying race speed into the corner, Oscar is nursing his way through, trying to feel the balance. Max is really attacking the first corner and he brakes with a lot of peak pressure. I just wonder if there is something in this for when he’s next time around in the race and he’s thinking: ‘Yeah there was a lot more grip’ and it gives him a chance to attack the corner.
“It’s that determination and skill level that wins him the corner. Piastri is, quite frankly, underdriving it, thinking he’s covering Russell off and Max is the main threat. The McLarens generally need to wise up.”
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Max Verstappen compared to F1 greats after Imola display
Verstappen’s unexpected victory in Imola earned him a lot of praise from the F1 paddock, with several comparing him to the greats of the sport.
Jacques Villeneuve said Verstappen reminded him of Ayrton Senna at Imola, because he effectively won in a car that was not the fastest.
Verstappen’s overtake was compared to Nigel Mansell’s on Nelson Piquet at Silverstone in 1987 by Peter Windsor, while Alex Brundle branded the overtake ‘beautiful’ because of how well executed it was from the Dutchman.
It was a display of intent from Verstappen, who wanted to remind the McLaren drivers that he was still in the hunt for the title despite a slow start to the year for Red Bull.
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