What Max Verstappen has now told Red Bull insiders about their 2025 F1 car after delivering Imola update package

Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen produced one of the best overtaking moves of his Formula 1 career to win the 65th race of his career.

The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix looked like another opportunity for McLaren driver Oscar Piastri to extend his lead at the top of the drivers’ championship.

However, Piastri admitted he made a mistake once he braked too early for the first chicane as he tried to hold off the advancing George Russell.

It allowed Max Verstappen to position his Red Bull perfectly around the outside of both cars and as he released the brake pedal, he was in prime position to take the lead coming out of the chicane.

That would have pleased Verstappen, but not as much as what followed.

Red Bull delivered an update package to Imola and all of a sudden the four-time world champion was able to accelerate away from both McLarens.

Even when the safety car came out and his lead was extinguished, he had no trouble racing off into the distance to win on Red Bull’s 400th F1 Grand Prix start.

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Red Bull insiders say Max Verstappen is ‘happier’ with their 2025 F1 car after Imola updates

A report from The Race has provided more details on the changes Red Bull made to Verstappen’s car at Imola.

Red Bull installed a new floor on Verstappen’s car at the Miami Grand Prix, and while teammate Yuki Tsunoda received the same part at Imola, it had to be replaced with an older model after his massive crash in qualifying.

The updates aren’t believed to have made the car inherently faster, but instead have widened the RB21’s operating window and improved the balance.

This should make controlling the temperature of the tyres easier, which has become one of the deciding factors in this year’s championship, with McLaren’s tyre management a step above their rivals.

The Race reports that Red Bull insiders have suggested that Verstappen is now much ‘happier with the car than he has been for a while’.

The 27-year-old was far more positive on the team radio this weekend, although being allowed to run in free air without a McLaren breathing down his neck would have eased many of his concerns.

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Max Verstappen’s short-term happiness key to Red Bull’s long-term success

One of the major talking points in the Formula 1 paddock this season has been Verstappen’s future.

Verstappen has ruled out taking a sabbatical next season regardless of how well Red Bull are performing and what their prospects are looking like for 2026.

Mercedes have held an interest in Verstappen for some time and with both of their drivers out of contract at the end of the year, team principal Toto Wolff could theoretically make space for the four-time world champion if he wished.

However, if Red Bull deliver updates that make the RB21 easier to drive, then that will give Verstappen confidence that the team are capable of improving the car without the help of the likes of Adrian Newey and Rob Marshall.

Next year’s car is a completely different challenge, with Red Bull also building their first power unit in partnership with Ford.

It’s not known how the grid is going to shake out, but Red Bull are now giving Verstappen fewer reasons to want to leave.