The data that shows the F1 title fight has been blown wide open

Max Verstappen struck back at McLaren at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix as the Dutchman took an impressive victory, leading Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri home at the chequered flag.

Overtaking around the Imola circuit has traditionally been a difficult task for the drivers, who also knew the 2025 edition would be no different. 

The crucial point of the race proved to be the opening lap, as Verstappen completed a stunning overtake on Piastri to take the lead, and ultimately the race win.

The Dutchman had it all to do in the braking zone. His reaction time from 0 to 100 kilometres per hour was already sub par and from 0 to 200 kilometres per hour, Verstappen was actually one of the slowest drivers in the field. But a similarly slow start for Piastri allowed Verstappen to stay close.

Having done the hard work in the first corner, Verstappen displayed strong pace that will encourage Red Bull.

Verstappen was also aided by strategy decisions that did not go the way of McLaren and his ability to get a cheap pit stop under a virtual safety car.

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Fastest in the field

But perhaps the most impressive point of the race came after the final safety car, which was deployed when Kimi Antonelli pulled to the side of the track to retire from his home grand prix.

Verstappen had the advantage of fresh tyres over the McLaren pair, but there was still a job to do. He left the Woking-based squad to squabble amongst itself for the runner-up spot as he drove off into the distance en route to his second win of the season.

It paints a much different picture compared to what has unfolded during Red Bull's season to date, especially in Japan where Verstappen was hounded by the McLarens to the chequered flag.

The weekend at Imola, more from Verstappen's perspective, showed Red Bull appears to be in a much improved shape. Pace of the car aside, its operations were on point and also crucial to the final outcome of the race.

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko spoke positively of Red Bull's form, as the team looks to continue its race-winning boost in the race ahead.

“We actually spent a year doing laps and not making any progress,” Marko said. “We always had understeer and little balance.

“And it was for the first time, at this race, that the car was like this [improving] again. He [Verstappen] 'I'm happy, I'm happy.' You can see that and of course that is an important condition for him.”