Max Verstappen explains key factor behind stunning Imola overtake

Max Verstappen has explained how he first realised his stunning overtake on Oscar Piastri was a possibility at Imola.

From second on the grid, Verstappen was actually third on the run to Turn 1 after George Russell passed the Red Bull, but taking the outside line allowed the Red Bull a free run around the outside of the first braking zone.

He promptly swept around the outside of the leading McLaren in a stunning move to take the lead, a pivotal move for the race as Piastri was then in dirty air and then stuck in traffic attempting the undercut. 

Verstappen held on to win in Red Bull's 400th start as he took 10 points out of Piastri's lead in the drivers' standings.

Explaining the move, Verstappen detailed how he "it all went so fast."

"I was quite far back, and at the time before the braking, I was basically P3, but I was on the normal braking line," Verstappen told media including RacingNews365. 

"I had to come from far, and as soon as I braked late, came off the brakes, I felt: 'Okay, there might be a move on,' so I just carried the speed in. 

"I started to carry a bit more speed to the apex, and then at one point, you have that momentum to swing going into Turn 3.

"I knew that I was ahead, but it all goes so fast, and you have to be really precise and try not to go too far off line. 

"Luckily, it was sticking. It is not an easy move to make, but everything went well and the grip was there."