Max Verstappen’s Brilliant Overtake at Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix

Max Verstappen, the reigning world champion, laid the groundwork for his fourth consecutive victory at Formula 1’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix with a stunning overtaking maneuver in the first chicane. Despite a less-than-ideal start that saw George Russell briefly pass him, Verstappen clinched the lead by the end of Turn 3.

The Data Behind Verstappen’s Successful Overtake

Contrary to his casual description, Verstappen’s overtake was a complex strategy that required precision and quick thinking. The key to his success lay in maintaining the racing line, which offered better grip and smoother terrain than the inside line. This strategic positioning mirrored another memorable overtaking move during the Mexico 2021 Grand Prix.

In both instances, Verstappen positioned his car cleverly to prevent rival drivers from blocking his path. After a slow start, he kept an eye on Russell and Lando Norris in his mirrors, ensuring that Russell couldn’t cut across, while leaving just enough space to deter Norris from attempting a pass.

The Numbers Don’t Lie: Verstappen’s Late Braking Mastery

Regarding the late-braking move, data shows that Verstappen and Piastri reached nearly identical top speeds at the end of the straight. However, Verstappen kept his foot on the throttle for 10 meters longer than Piastri, braked more gradually, and entered the braking zone 30 km/h faster.

This speed difference allowed Verstappen to carry momentum into the corner, a crucial factor in his successful overtake. As he put it, “When I braked late and then released the brake pedal, I thought ‘okay, maybe this move is on’. So, I decided to carry that extra speed, and with that, you obviously get the momentum.

Although Verstappen slowed down quicker due to his aggressive braking, he still maintained a speed advantage over Piastri throughout the chicane. This strategic positioning, combined with the ideal racing line, gave him the momentum to complete what Christian Horner has called “a win it or bin it move.

Together, these factors have earned Verstappen his second victory of the 2025 season, a testament to his skill, strategy, and relentless pursuit of success. As he himself put it, “A move like this is never easy, but luckily, everything went well.