Formula 1 Emilia Romagna GP
“Win it or bin it”: How Max Verstappen won Red Bull’s 400th race in F1
Red Bull boss Christian Horner, who has been present for all of the team’s 400 F1 races, says he was surprised by McLaren’s drop-off in pace at the Imola GP
Ben Hunt Filip Cleeren
Edited: May 19, 2025, 3:48 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool
Red Bull boss Christian Horner hailed Max Verstappen’s sensational opening lap overtake on polesitter Oscar Piastri as a turning point for the team. The move, which he labelled a “win it or bin it” manoeuvre, secured the lead for Verstappen and paved the way for Red Bull to win its 400th race in Formula 1.
Verstappen swooped past Piastri around Tamburello to power into the lead, where he controlled the pace, despite one safety car restart and one virtual safety car (VSC) period.
It was Verstappen’s second win of the year and means he now trails championship leader Piastri by just 22 points.
Horner spoke of his relief at the result, which follows a slow start for the team after it lost its constructors’ championship title to McLaren last season. He says the result was a morale-boosting victory and arrives at a crucial time as the F1 season moves to a period of predominantly European races.
He said: “The start was pretty average. It was the first corner, and I think maybe Oscar was more focused on George Russell and he left the slightest of gaps and Max just sent it and it was kind of win it or bin it. And again, he's just so good in that situation where he just sees a gap and it's so decisive for him.
Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool
“Thereafter, we just had the pace to pull out a gap. We had the margin on tyre degradation that we could see were in a better shape than the McLarens.
“Then the VSC came out. That was at an opportune time, circa mid-race. And then the safety car came out, which was another essentially free pitstop for the first couple of guys.
“But at all times, Max had the pace. He was able to respond. It never felt that we were under pressure from behind. So, it was a great performance. Overall, a very positive 400th Grand Prix.”
Horner said that he was surprised that his team was able to overhaul McLaren’s advantage after the Woking-based outfit had started the weekend so strongly in practice.
“We were more surprised about McLaren's lack of performance,” he added.
Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Lars Baron / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
“We definitely got the car into a very good window in qualifying, and Max was certainly very positive about the balance and being able to lean on the rear of the car. That was certainly a positive and then that carried through.
“McLaren on Friday looked very, very fast on the long runs. But to have the pace that we did in the race today, I would say that's probably, since certainly Brazil last year, which was obviously a wet race, that's the first time I can remember in a long time we've had the pace to really pull away and out-deg the McLaren.
“So that's very encouraging and a great result for the effort that's gone in behind the scenes.
“Generally, we're getting a better grip and a better understanding, and I think that the technical team have been working very hard on it. I think that that's a second win, arguably we should have won in Jeddah, on the front row yesterday. So, it's been a very positive weekend, and I think we're building a bit of momentum, which is important at this stage in the championship.”
While Horner believes his team is building on its strong performance in Imola, as Lando Norris and Piastri traded places, he reckons the internal squabble between the two McLaren drivers will cost them points in the long run.
Read Also:
Formula 1Lando Norris admits McLaren had no answer for Max Verstappen’s speed in Imola GP
Formula 1F1 Imola GP: Max Verstappen and Red Bull outfox McLaren for victory
“You've got two drivers that are fighting for a world championship,” he said. “At some point, self-interest will always outweigh team interest. That's the conflict.
“So, they did a good job to not make contact. But it was commendable that they were allowed to race, but you could see it got pretty close.”
Photos from Imola GP - Race
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Sunday
Formula 1
70
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article George Russell blasts Mercedes as being “dead slow” after wilting in Imola disappointment
Next article Frustrated Charles Leclerc “cannot accept” the situation at Ferrari
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Ben Hunt
How Jonathan Wheatley wants Sauber to use F1 podium momentum in Audi transformation
Formula 1
Formula 1
British GP
How Jonathan Wheatley wants Sauber to use F1 podium momentum in Audi transformation
How Christian Horner’s Red Bull exit mirrored his F1 arrival and why he will be missed
Formula 1
Formula 1
How Christian Horner’s Red Bull exit mirrored his F1 arrival and why he will be missed
Keanu Reeves to star in new Cadillac F1 team documentary
Formula 1
Formula 1
Austrian GP
Keanu Reeves to star in new Cadillac F1 team documentary
More from
Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen slams “unacceptable” bumps at Austin F1 track: “It's out of control”
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
13 h
Max Verstappen slams “unacceptable” bumps at Austin F1 track: “It's out of control”
Red Bull called Christian Horner to thank him for F1 engine project after maiden win
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
Red Bull called Christian Horner to thank him for F1 engine project after maiden win
Latest news
George Russell: F1 2026 season a test of "character and resilience"
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
42 min
George Russell: F1 2026 season a test of "character and resilience"
Marc Marquez: ‘Jorge Martin rides on instinct; he just attacks, and that’s his strength’
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
1 h
Marc Marquez: ‘Jorge Martin rides on instinct; he just attacks, and that’s his strength’
Lamborghini Super Trofeo | North America, Race 2: Bamber dominates to take the win
Lamborghini Super Trofeo
LBST Lamborghini Super Trofeo
World Finals - Monza 2026
1 h
Lamborghini Super Trofeo | North America, Race 2: Bamber dominates to take the win
Belgian firm to take over Renault/Alpine engine facility in Viry
WEC
WEC WEC 2 h
Belgian firm to take over Renault/Alpine engine facility in Viry
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe