Max Verstappen compared to F1 legend Nigel Mansell by Peter Windsor for ‘superb’ reason after Imola victory

Max Verstappen caught McLaren out at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix to take his second win of the 2025 season.

The Dutchman’s victory served as a reminder that he is still in the hunt for the title, as he closed the gap to within 10 points of second-placed Lando Norris in the Drivers’ Championship.

It was a surprise victory for Verstappen as he showed excellent pace in the Red Bull throughout the race, pulling away from Oscar Piastri in the first stint and doing the same in the final laps of the race following a brief Safety Car.

The performance was in stark contrast to Verstappen’s display at Miami a couple of weeks prior, where he suffered from brake problems that effectively prevented him from winning from pole.

Discussing the race on his YouTube channel, Peter Windsor compared Verstappen to Nigel Mansell after he was ‘staggered’ by one moment from the Dutchman.

Peter Windsor compares Max Verstappen to Nigel Mansell with Oscar Piastri overtake

To get into the lead, Verstappen pulled off an audacious move on Piastri at Tamburello at the start. It wasn’t the best getaway from his start box as he had George Russell alongside him, but Verstappen used the outside line into the corner and swept through into the lead.

Alex Brundle branded Verstappen’s move ‘beautiful’ because he defended the outside line enough to prevent Lando Norris from overtaking on his outside and effectively boxed Russell behind Piastri.

Windsor said the move reminded him of Nigel Mansell’s overtake on Nelson Piquet at Silverstone, which sealed him the 1987 British Grand Prix victory.

“I’m completely staggered that he won that race against the two McLarens at this track. It was a win of race craft, superb driving under pressure and it was one of the best,” said Windsor.

“Certainly that overtake into Turn 1 was as good as you’re going to see since Nigel Mansell on Nelson Piquet in 1987 in the British GP. It was that good, it was reflex action like Nigel’s at Silverstone.”

Max Verstappen impressed by his own overtaking move

The move even surprised Verstappen himself, who only knew that the move was on as he rolled off the brakes into the corner.

“I was quite far back. At the time before braking, I was basically in P3. But, of course, I was on the normal braking line, but I still had to come from far,” said Verstappen.

“As soon as I braked late and then came off the brakes, I felt like: ‘OK, there might be a move on.’ So, I just carried the speed in. And, luckily, it basically was sticking. It’s not an easy move to make but, luckily, everything went well.”

Jacques Villeneuve thought Max Verstappen drove like Ayrton Senna, given how well he controlled the pace compared to the McLarens at the front.