Christian Horner points to critical Oscar Piastri mistake

Christian Horner believes Oscar Piastri focusing on George Russell was the key to Max Verstappen's stunning overtake in the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. 

At the start at Imola, Verstappen was slow away from second place as third-place Russell got the Mercedes ahead, but was boxed in by pole-sitter Piastri on the run to Tamburello. 

With Piastri covering the inside, Verstappen simply drove around the outside, muscling ahead of Piastri to take the lead, a key part of the Dutchman's eventual victory.

Reflecting, Horner felt Piastri's big mistake had come at the start.

"We got the car into a very good window and Max was certainly positive about the balance and being able to lean on the rear," Horner told media including RacingNews365. 

"That was certainly a positive, but the start was pretty average, and I think Oscar was more focused on Russell, and he left the slightest of gaps.

"Max just sent it, and it was kind of win it or bin it, and he is just so good in those situations where he sees a gap and is so decisive.

"But thereafter, we had the pace to pull out a gap, and we could see we were in a better shape than the McLarens, and then obviously the virtual safety car came out. 

"Then the full safety car came out, which was essentially another free pit-stop for the first couple of guys, but at all times, Max had the pace."