Max Verstappen Praises Red Bull After First Post-Horner Victory in Italy

Verstappen Dominates Italian GP, Hails Red Bull

Why it matters: Max Verstappen secured Red Bull's first victory in the post-Christian Horner era at the Italian Grand Prix, showcasing the team's resilience and strength amidst leadership changes. This win also marks Verstappen's return to the top step of the podium since Imola in May.

The big picture: Verstappen's dominant performance in Monza, the fastest F1 race ever recorded (1h 13m 23s), saw him quickly overcome an early battle with Lando Norris on Lap 4. He ultimately beat Norris by a significant 19.2-second margin.

• The victory is a crucial statement for Red Bull, coming after Horner's departure following the British GP.
• Meanwhile, McLaren faced internal scrutiny due to a team orders controversy involving Norris's slow pit stop and Oscar Piastri being instructed to yield position.

Driving force: Verstappen attributed his success to the team's flawless execution and the car's performance.

• "It was a great day for us. Lap 1 was a bit unlucky, but after that, we were flying, the car was really enjoyable."
• He effectively managed his pace and benefited from timely pit stops.
• The hard tires at the end offered crucial resilience, allowing him to push further.
• Verstappen emphasized it was "fantastic execution by the whole team."

What's next: Looking ahead, Verstappen expressed confidence in the team's direction. "The whole weekend we were on it, and it is super enjoyable to win here. We will go step-by-step and race-by-race, but it was an unbelievable weekend."