Max Verstappen stunned after unexpected Red Bull miracle

Max Verstappen has revealed that the speed of his Red Bull in the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix caught him completely off guard, with the Dutchman having claimed a second win of the season.

Verstappen started in second but pulled off an unbelievable overtake on Oscar Piastri at the first corner to move into the lead, before cruising into the distance. 

A late safety car did allow the field to catch back up, although he quickly rebuilt an advantage when the race returned to green flag running.

McLaren had no response to the four-time world champion's speed, something which has not been said to this degree all year.

"I am very happy with it," Verstappen told Viaplay. "I actually did not expect this speed at all. That's obviously very positive then. I didn't get away very well, which was obviously not ideal."

His move around the outside at the first corner on Piastri was one of the best of the season so far, with the 27-year-old having explained how he managed it.

"We just braked a little later than everyone else," explained Verstappen. "And the fact that we were up front there, that was fine. 

"But if you don't have the speed, you're going to get caught anyway. We did have the speed now and that was a very positive thing then."

Not only was Verstappen's pace better than McLaren's, the RB21 also had better tyre management.

Tyre management has been the Woking-based outfit's huge advantage this season, yet Red Bull's upgrades appear to have made strides on it.

"I think we had it pretty well under control, and maybe with them [McLaren] it went a little bit less than normal," he added. "So it's a bit of a combination of the two. But it's very positive. 

"The car also felt a little better. The tyres were still going at it per se, but it went a little bit better than most around us."