Red Bull are building a bit of momentum – Team principal Christian Horner
Verstappen completed a superb first-corner overtake on pole-sitter Oscar Piastri to fire himself to a second win of the season in Red Bull's 400th Formula One race.
Lando Norris made a late move on McLaren team-mate Piastri to clinch second and cut the Australian's championship lead to 13 points, with Verstappen 22 points adrift ahead of next weekend's Monaco Grand Prix.
Verstappen showed the pace to outgun the McLaren pair throughout the race, even after a late safety car saw his lead evaporate.
Team principal Horner was delighted that Red Bull were able to have the edge on McLaren for pace and believes it bodes well in Verstappen's bid for a fifth successive drivers' championship.
'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,' Horner said.
'To have the pace that we did in the race, I would say that's probably, since certainly Brazil last year – which was a wet race – the first time I can remember in a long time we've had the pace to really pull away and out-deg the McLarens.
'A second win and arguably we should have won in Jeddah.
'It's an important win for the team at this stage of the championship, it feels like we're building a little bit of momentum behind the scenes.
FULL SENDDD!! 💪 MAX WINS IN IMOLAAA!!#ImolaGP 🇮🇹 || @Max33Verstappen pic.twitter.com/p38eqxjQIf
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) May 18, 2025
'It's a timely win championship wise. It keeps the pressure on and keeps us in touch.'
Talk over Verstappen's future has dogged the team throughout a tricky start to the season, where they have been off the pace of McLaren as Piastri won four of the first six races.
Horner hailed the Dutchman's focus on driving the team forward.
'All year he's been working hard behind the scenes. He's been very supportive in the team,' Horner said.
'There's always a lot of noise outside of our team but never inside and everybody is just focused on the job.
'Everybody is leaving Imola upbeat about the upcoming races.'
McLaren opted not to allow Norris to pass Piastri, on older tyres, at the safety-car restart to attack Verstappen.
The British driver instead had to complete a bold overtake on his team-mate with five laps remaining, with the pair close to making contact.
DRIVER STANDINGS AFTER 7/24 ROUNDS
Verstappen closes the gap to the McLarens 👀#F1 #ImolaGP pic.twitter.com/8LbqNQpecX
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 18, 2025
Horner does not believe Norris would have threatened Verstappen and says McLaren having two drivers fighting for the title inevitably brings such issues.
'I think today we had the pace to cover whatever they could throw at us,' Horner added.
'Obviously they've got two drivers who are fighting for a world championship.
'At some point, self interest will always outweigh team interest. So they did a good job to not make contact.
'It was commendable that they were allowed to race but you could see how close it got.'
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