Why McLaren Lost Its Pace Edge at F1 Imola GP

Red Bull changed the story at the 2025 Formula 1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix after a rough race in Miami two weeks earlier. At Imola, Max Verstappen turned the tables by beating both McLaren drivers and winning the race with steady pace and better tire performance.

This shift followed a weekend in Miami where Verstappen had started strong but eventually finished fourth, almost 40 seconds behind McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. At Imola, things were different from the opening lap and throughout the race distance.

The teams arrived at Imola with some upgrades. McLaren brought a new rear wing and extra downforce at the rear, while Red Bull used a modified rear aero package, new sidepods, and updates to the floor—parts Verstappen had first raced in Miami.

Many thought McLaren would continue their pace advantage from previous races where they excelled in warmer track conditions. Instead, Red Bull proved more consistent, managing tire temperatures and wear better than expected on Pirelli’s softest compounds.

Verstappen’s key moment came early, as Oscar Piastri pitted after just 14 laps trying to manage tire life, but Red Bull stayed out longer and did not fade in the second stint. Team principal Christian Horner said Red Bull managed to put the car in a better window, eliminating sliding and bringing tire temperatures under control.

He added that it was the first time in a while they’d been able to pull away from McLaren in terms of both pace and tire durability during a race. Red Bull’s Andrew Stella and Horner both admitted they were surprised by how competitive Red Bull became as the weekend progressed.

Imola’s high-speed corners also played a role. GPS data showed Verstappen ahead down the fast Rivazza section and on Imola’s long straights, while McLaren’s advantage tended to be in traction and acceleration out of slower turns.

Piastri managed pole by just 0.034 seconds, with George Russell only a tenth behind. Stella highlighted how track layouts with many high-speed turns, like Imola, caused McLaren to lose the advantage they had at Miami, Bahrain, and China, where rear tire management favored them. (source)

McLaren has often been better when racing in heat, using that to improve their rear tire wear compared to Red Bull. However, that benefit wasn’t visible at Imola, even though race day temperatures were warm.

Stella said that the team would need to analyze the tire data to find out why. Red Bull, on the other hand, credited recent upgrades and setup work for helping manage the car’s rear tires more effectively.

Both teams are looking ahead to Monaco and Barcelona, expecting more upgrades and some new FIA rules, like the directive on front wing flex, to tighten up the field. Red Bull’s technical chief, Pierre Wache, said each weekend feels unpredictable, as Red Bull has remained competitive in Japan but struggled in Bahrain and Miami.

He stressed that progress will remain hard-fought, as McLaren continues developing a very strong car and both teams seek gains every race. The battle between Red Bull and McLaren, which has already swung back and forth in the opening part of the season, looks set to continue when the cars hit Barcelona in two weeks. (source)

McLaren stays ahead in the drivers’ standings, but Verstappen’s win at Imola has closed the gap once more. Both teams know that just one key upgrade or setup change can tip the balance, keeping the fight for the 2025 Formula 1 championship wide open.

Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.