How Red Bull paid tribute to Dietrich Mateschitz after Max Verstappen’s Imola win on their 400th F1 start

Red Bull Racing could not have asked for a better result to mark their 400th start in Formula 1.

Team principal Christian Horner has been with Red Bull since their debut at the 2005 Australian Grand Prix.

David Coulthard made a remarkable Red Bull prediction that day as he scored the team’s first points, and they’ve gone from strength to strength since then.

Red Bull have won eight drivers’ championships with Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen earning four each.

The team’s six constructors’ titles mean that they’re still three behind McLaren and Williams and some way off Ferrari’s record tally of 16 championships.

And while the constructors’ championship might be out of reach for Red Bull this year with Yuki Tsunoda too far off McLaren’s pace, Verstappen is eyeing up a fifth consecutive title.

The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix marked Red Bull’s 400th Grand Prix start and Verstappen made a perfect overtake on Oscar Piastri at the first corner to take the lead of the race.

Even a safety car couldn’t spoil the Dutchman’s day as he dominated proceedings to earn his 65th race victory.

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Dietrich Mateschitz honoured at Red Bull’s 400th Grand Prix start as Max Verstappen wins

Dietrich Mateschitz was the owner of Red Bull until he died in 2022 and played a key role in the drinks company purchasing the Jaguar F1 team in 2004.

Horner was appointed team principal and Helmut Marko was brought in as an advisor, with Adrian Newey following suit soon afterwards.

A report from the Dutch outlet De Telegraaf has shared more details about Red Bull’s 400th start.

The son of Red Bull Racing’s founder, Mark Mateschitz spoke after the race and said, “This was a very memorable weekend.

“The 400th race for the team and then to strike in this way. Max drove fantastically and kept his head cool. My father would have been proud.”

Red Bull’s garage was heard playing the Rolling Stones, who were Dietrich Mateschitz’s favourite band, through the speakers in the garage.

Horner’s team developed a reputation in the paddock for being the centre of the party in F1 and they honoured Mateschitz’s memory by celebrating with his favourite music after another masterclass from Verstappen.

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Helmut Marko reflects on Max Verstappen’s victory at Imola

Red Bull delivered a new update package at Imola, which took time to adjust to in practice before the team nailed the set-up for qualifying.

Verstappen admitted Red Bull’s upgrades still had problems, but they didn’t impact his pace on Sunday as he comfortably drove away from Piastri and Lando Norris at different points during the race.

Speaking after the Grand Prix, Marko said: “I think we had an excuse for a poor Friday this time.

“We brought several new parts and then it is not easy to find the right setup straight away.

“On Saturday it went better and on Sunday the car was also fast and good on the tyres. I think even better than McLaren.

“It is the first time in a year that updates have had a positive effect on the car. That it got more speed and became more predictable.

“I am happy and we are going to Monaco next week with a lot of confidence.”

Commenting on Verstappen’s brilliant move on Piastri, Marko explained: “How he outwitted Piastri in that first corner, unbelievable. And I found it even more impressive how he drove away in the final phase of the restart after the safety car and just disappeared.”

Red Bull have technically entered 401 Grand Prix in Formula 1, however, the debacle at the 2005 United States Grand Prix isn’t technically considered by any team except Ferrari, Jordan and Minardi.