F1 news LIVE: Christian Horner sends dig McLaren’s way after Max Verstappen victory
Follow reaction after Verstappen’s brilliant win ahead of both McLarens in Emilia Romagna
Max Verstappen’s brilliant opening-corner move on Oscar Piastri fired him to victory at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
The Dutchman clinched a fourth successive win at Imola in Red Bull’s 400th race to end championship leader Piastri’s three-race winning run after taking the lead at the first chicane.
Verstappen was in control of the race but had to see off a late challenge, after a safety car slashed his lead, to clinch his second win of the season.
McLaren opted not to order Piastri to allow Lando Norris past in a bid to challenge Verstappen but the British driver ultimately made a brave move on his team-mate with five laps to go to finish second. Piastri’s lead to Norris was cut to 13 points, with Verstappen now 22 points behind the Australian.
Follow live updates from the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix with The Independent
Christian Horner sends a dig McLaren’s way
“We were more surprised with McLaren’s lack of performance,” Horner added. “We got the car into a very good window yesterday, Max was certainly very positive about the balance and about being able to lean on the rear of the car.
That was certainly a positive. That carried into the race. We were just in a better-balanced window, which proved to be the case.
“To have the pace today, [for the first time] since Brazil last year – that’s the first time I can remember that we’ve had the pace to really pull away from the McLarens.”
Red Bull were too good
Lando Norris says a two-podium finish for himself and McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri represents a fine outing at Imola but regrets not being able to challenge eventual winner Max Verstappen.
Norris said: "A good race. For us as a team, second and third is great.
“Of course you would love to be up there fighting against Max but they [Red Bull] were too good for us today."
F1 constructor standings
1. McLaren - 279 points
2. Mercedes - 147 points
3. Red Bull - 131 points
4. Ferrari - 114 points
5. Williams - 51 points
6. Haas - 20 points
7. Aston Martin - 14 points
8. Racing Bulls - 10 points
9. Alpine - 7 points
10. Sauber - 6 points
Comment: Kimi Antonelli’s F1 ascension appears a masterstroke – have Mercedes found their answer to Max Verstappen?
Antonelli has already broken records: the youngest driver to score points, after a sumptuous recovery drive from 16th to fourth in the rain in the season opener in Melbourne. And after his surprise pole position for the sprint race at the last round in Miami, he became the youngest driver to record a pole position in any F1 format. At 21, Sebastian Vettel, the previous record holder, was three years older.
Released with exquisite timing, one day after the Miami Grand Prix, Antonelli’s ascension to F1 has been chronicled in a new 45-minute documentary on Netflix, titled The Seat.
Piece:
In ‘special’ 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli, have Mercedes found their Max Verstappen?
Verstappen looks ahead of Monaco
"I like driving and racing in Formula 1, next week it’s a completely different kind of track in Monaco and that’s also going to be very challenging,” said Max Verstappen after his win at Imola.
“But for the moment I just want to enjoy today and take it in.
"It’s always fantastic to be in Italy, proper passion for motorsport so it’s fantastic to see all these fans out here the whole weekend, so thank you for coming."
Drivers' championship standings
After losing pole and slipping down the field, Oscar Piastri’s recovery drive ensured he finished third at Imola and is still on track in his pursuit of a first world championship.
Here are the standings:
1. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) - 146
2. Lando Norris (McLaren) - 133
3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 124
4. George Russell (Mercedes) - 99
5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 61
6. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) - 53
7. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) - 48
8. Alex Albon (Williams) - 40
9. Esteban Ocon (Haas) - 14
10. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) - 14
RACE REPORT: Max Verstappen’s race-winning overtake in Imola reminds McLaren of F1 title credentials
Brake too early at your peril.
That’s the thought pole-sitter Oscar Piastri will take to Bologna airport on Sunday night, seeing 10 points pass him by in his championship hunt.
The clear favourite to romp home to victory in the speedy McLaren, the championship leader endured a tough lesson in first-lap combat here under the stunning Imola sunshine.
Unambiguously, you do not leave a Red Bull-sized gap down the outside for a four-time world champion.
Verstappen’s race-winning overtake in Imola reminds McLaren of F1 title credentials
Monaco Grand Prix timings
The next race is in Monaco and here are all the timings for next week’s grand prix:
Friday, May 23
FP1 – 12.30pm BST
FP2 – 4pm
Saturday, May 24
FP3 – 11.30am
Qualifying – 3pm
Sunday, May 25
Race – 2pm
Horner on Red Bull's victory
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said: “We managed to get the car into a window, the parts we brought worked.
“There was at no point in the race where he really looked under threat.
“That first stint was so long on the medium, that was what was particularly impressive and reassuring that we were able to have better deg than the McLarens in that first stint.”
Max Verstappen responds to Christian Horner 'sack' rumours
“Honestly, I have no idea where they come from, to be honest,” the Dutchman told F1 TV on Thursday.
“Naturally, I don’t really follow a lot of that all.
“So people ask me questions as well about that and I’m like, ‘honestly, I really don’t know who even puts that in the world’.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments