'I had to laugh' - Max Verstappen reveals comical reaction to Oscar Piastri overtake

Max Verstappen revealed that he "had to laugh" after overtaking Oscar Piastri at the first corner of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. 

The Dutchman started in second but had a poor launch, dropping him to third on the run to the first turn. 

However, a phenomenal piece of late braking saw the four-time world champion sweep around the outside of George Russell and Piastri to take the lead of the race.

It was a staggering overtake which, effectively, won the 27-year-old a fourth consecutive win in Imola. 

When asked if he re-watched the overtake, Verstappen told select media, including RacingNews365: "When I came home on Sunday, yes.

"But of course I already knew myself how it all felt, but it's nice to look back and see how close it all was."

The overtake triggered a comical reaction from the reigning world champion, who could not quite believe what he pulled off.

"I had to laugh for a moment," he said, before revealing that it was his reaction in the actual moment itself, "No, not behind the television, but I actually had to laugh for a moment in Turn 3. I thought, 'that one was good!'" 

Since Imola, Piastri has received criticism for over-defending, allowing Verstappen the option to complete the overtake. 

Having looked back at the overtake, the Red Bull driver believes Piastri was not focused on him but rather Russell directly behind.

 "I think if you watch it back, you can see that he's very concerned with George, because he was actually second. And I get it," added Verstappen. 

"I took that momentum of course. Then you can't react anymore either, because I already have some momentum."