Max Verstappen and Red Bull held off McLaren at Imola with a bold first-lap overtake, smart strategy, and key RB21 upgrades that secured the victory.

Verstappen has been plagued with a slower car this season, one that had been slower than the McLaren’s until Imola.

McLaren were caught off guard by the pace of Max Verstappen's Red Bull at Imola. McLaren have admitted Red Bull’s pace advantage at the F1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix took the team by surprise.