Max Verstappen once again showcased his exceptional skill with a stunning first-lap overtake on Oscar Piastri during the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola in 2025, taking the lead at the Tamburello chicane and holding it to secure victory. Verstappen’s talent for decisive and bold moves at the start of races has been a key factor in his success, prompting a review of his most remarkable opening laps throughout his Formula 1 career.
Battle at Imola in 2021: A Pivotal Moment in the Title Fight
The Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari has been the backdrop to some of Verstappen’s most memorable first-lap battles, starting with the 2021 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. Coming off a tense opening race in Bahrain, Verstappen confronted his main rival Lewis Hamilton under challenging wet conditions. Hamilton and Sergio Perez had secured the front row, with Verstappen starting in third.
At the first chicane, Verstappen gained ground rapidly, arriving alongside pole-sitter Hamilton. Choosing the inside line at Tamburello, Verstappen forced Hamilton wide, resulting in Hamilton cutting the track and damaging his front wing on the kerbs. This aggressive maneuver granted Verstappen the lead, which he maintained to win, marking the beginning of a four-year winning streak at Imola.
The race was turbulent, with Hamilton finishing a distant second after a gravel trap incident and a fortuitous red flag helped him evade deeper trouble. This episode was one of many clashes in the intense season-long duel between the two drivers.
Mexico 2021: Exploiting High Altitude to Take the Lead
Later that year, Verstappen arrived in Mexico City determined to capitalize on Red Bull’s competitive advantage at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. Despite qualifying third behind Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton, Verstappen was poised to challenge the front row lockout on race day.
At the start, Verstappen utilized Bottas’ slipstream, with Hamilton on the inside. Bottas left the outside line open, allowing Verstappen to slot alongside, positioning himself perfectly for the first corner. Riders benefited from the grippier racing line and later braking, enabling Verstappen to seize the lead before the chicane.
The start was chaotic for others, including Bottas, who was spun around following contact with Daniel Ricciardo far behind Verstappen. Verstappen witnessed flawless execution, winning comfortably by over 16 seconds in a race that intensified the 2021 championship battle.
Spa 2022: Masterful Recovery from 14th to Victory
The 2022 season saw new regulations that altered the competitive landscape, with Verstappen facing reliability challenges early on. Starting 14th at Spa-Francorchamps due to engine penalties, Verstappen nonetheless produced a breathtaking drive.
At the start, Verstappen surged through the field, overtaking multiple drivers including Valtteri Bottas, Nicholas Latifi, and Kevin Magnussen before reaching the La Source hairpin, climbing into eighth. Starting well behind front-row drivers Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez, Verstappen exercised caution amid incidents ahead, including Lance Stroll running off track twice.
The Red Bull car’s superiority allowed Verstappen to pick off Perez on lap 12 and take the lead, ultimately charging from the back of the grid to claim a commanding win. This race underscored his ability to blend aggressive starts with calculated race management.
Suzuka 2022: Defending the Lead in Rainy Conditions
Verstappen’s skills in wet conditions were highlighted at the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka, where rain and poor visibility posed additional challenges. Although Verstappen did not make an overtaking move at the start, his defense of the lead against Charles Leclerc was critical.
Leclerc got a better getaway and held the inside line entering the first corner. However, Verstappen took a riskier outside line, leveraging slightly better grip on the racing surface to reclaim the lead. This maneuver ensured his clear visibility in the treacherous conditions ahead.
The race was red-flagged shortly after due to poor visibility, and after the restart, Verstappen pulled away decisively, securing victory. His uncertainty about whether he had clinched the championship led to lighthearted moments on the podium as his team celebrated.
“Should I sit there? But I’m not champion yet? Oh, I am? No, I’m not, right? I am? Are you sure?”
—Max Verstappen, Driver
“It seems that things can never go normally with us.”
—Raymond Vermeulen, Verstappen’s Manager
Brazil 2024: A Skillful Climb From Deep in the Field
The 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix illustrated Verstappen’s resilience when adversity strikes. After a disrupted qualifying session caused by a red flag and an engine penalty, Verstappen started from 17th on the grid. His title hopes hung in the balance as the season grew more competitive with McLaren rising mid-year.
At the start, Verstappen made bold early moves, including a sharp outside line at the Senna S complex, reminiscent of his overtake on Nico Rosberg in 2016. By the end of the first lap, he had already moved into 11th position and passed Lewis Hamilton on the start-finish straight to enter the points.
His performance in wet conditions during the race was flawless, turning the challenging circumstances to his advantage and securing a crucial victory. This win was decisive in propelling him toward a fourth world championship, eventually sealed later in Las Vegas.
“It was an emotional rollercoaster. After qualifying, I was extremely frustrated when I got back to my room.”
—Max Verstappen, Driver
Imola 2025: Tactical Mastery to Regain the Lead
The most recent example of Verstappen’s racing acumen came at Imola in 2025. Starting on the front row alongside championship leader Oscar Piastri, Verstappen had a suboptimal start and dropped to third as George Russell slipped past him. Rather than panic, Verstappen positioned his car expertly to block Russell’s outside line and left a narrow gap on the right side to prevent Lando Norris from making a move.
Exploiting the extra grip on the racing line, Verstappen braked about 10 meters later than Piastri and carried significantly more speed—entering the braking zone at roughly 30 km/h faster. This enabled him to take the lead with authority, building a strong pace for the rest of the race.
Reflecting on the move, Piastri acknowledged he was too cautious, wishing he had approached it differently with hindsight. Verstappen’s skillful management of that first lap demonstrates his capacity to influence championship battles deep into the season.
Verstappen’s First-Lap Moves: Defining Moments in F1 Racing
Max Verstappen’s exploits over the first laps at different circuits illustrate not only his raw speed but his strategic brilliance under pressure. From forceful passes in wet and dry conditions to finely balanced defensive drives, these moves have shaped championship outcomes and solidified his reputation as one of the most formidable starters in Formula 1 history.
His ability to combine calculated risk and precision provides a blueprint for race starts and significantly influences the outcome of title fights. As Verstappen continues to adapt and evolve his approach, fans and competitors alike will be watching closely for the next daring maneuver that might turn the tide of a race or season.
