Horner praises Verstappen for Imola first corner ‘win it or bin it’ move

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner praised Max Verstappen for his fearless first-lap move on McLaren’s Oscar Piastri at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, calling it a no-compromise, “win it or bin it” overtake that ultimately paved the way for the Dutchman’s unexpected victory.

Verstappen, starting from second on the grid, launched a daring attack around the outside of pole-sitter Piastri into Turn 1.

The move stunned many, not least Piastri himself, but it was executed with the signature aggression and precision that have become Verstappen’s trademarks.

“The start was pretty average,” commented Horner after the race. “It was the first corner, and I think maybe Oscar was more focused on (Mercedes rival George) Russell and he left the slightest of gaps and Max just sent it.

“It was kind of ‘win it or bin it’. He’s just so good in that situation where he just sees a gap and it’s so decisive for him.”

The aggressive pass, made possible by a marginally cautious brake point from Piastri, proved decisive. Verstappen went on to control the race from the front and claimed Red Bull’s 400th Grand Prix start with a statement win.

Verstappen’s Crucial Instinct and Precision

Max Verstappen admitted he came into the Imola weekend with little expectation of winning, given McLaren's recent dominance and their front-row lockout in every practice session.

Yet, when the opportunity presented itself into Turn 1, he trusted his instincts and made it count.

“Before I got here this weekend, I didn’t really have a lot of hope that we could actually win a race here,” the Dutchman said.

“But then I think from yesterday onwards, the car was more competitive over one lap and luckily also today.”

“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.”

The Imola victory marked Verstappen’s fourth consecutive win at the circuit – a feat unmatched by any other F1 driver – and added to his growing dominance at the Italian track.

• Read also: Verstappen ‘quite surprised’ by Imola win – hoping for more

He also secured Red Bull’s 100th fastest lap in Formula 1, underscoring a weekend of milestones for the reigning World Champions.

Still, Verstappen noted Red Bull’s pace remains inconsistent and dependent on track characteristics.

“Every time that we have been really competitive, it’s been high-speed tracks, high-speed corners,” he explained. “We still have work to do, but I do think it’s been a very positive weekend for us.”

Despite McLaren’s edge across most of the weekend, Verstappen’s aggressive racecraft, coupled with Red Bull’s one-lap pace improvement, helped deliver a crucial — and unexpected — win in their 400th Grand Prix outing.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via X and Facebook