Inside Max Verstappen’s Most Thrilling First-Lap Moves

Max Verstappen’s first-lap moves in Formula 1 have become a defining aspect of his racecraft, helping him build a reputation as one of the most aggressive and successful starters in recent seasons. The Dutch driver’s skill at the start of grands prix has played a crucial role in several of his victories, including at the 2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

At that race, Verstappen made a bold pass on Oscar Piastri at Imola’s Tamburello chicane, sweeping around the outside to claim a race lead he would not give up. That was one of many times Verstappen used the opening lap to change the direction of a race in his favor.

One of the earliest examples came at Imola in 2021. Verstappen started third behind Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez but made an impressive getaway on a damp circuit.

By the first chicane, he was already alongside Hamilton, using the inside line at Tamburello to take the lead. Hamilton tried to fight back on the outside but ran out of room and lost part of his front wing.

Verstappen went on to win the race by 22 seconds, while Hamilton recovered from a spin thanks to a red flag. That move at Imola set the tone for Verstappen’s title fight that year.

Another standout performance came at the Mexico Grand Prix in 2021. Despite starting third, Verstappen made full use of Valtteri Bottas’s slipstream and the outside line into the first corner.

Bottas left the door open and Verstappen braked later than both Mercedes cars to surge ahead. He took the lead early and controlled the race, winning by over 16 seconds.

That race was vital in his championship run, especially as it was his final victory before the tense season finale in Abu Dhabi.

Verstappen’s rise through the pack at the 2022 Belgian Grand Prix showed another side to his opening lap skill. Forced to start 14th due to grid penalties, he gained six positions on the first lap and played it safe when needed.

He came through to win the race. His precise judgment under pressure allowed him to avoid trouble, secure vital points, and underline Red Bull’s superiority in the new era of regulations.

A different kind of first-lap move appeared at the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix. Rain made visibility poor and the racing line tricky.

Charles Leclerc got away better off the line, but Verstappen risked more on the outside at Turn 1, using extra grip to quickly regain the lead. The race was soon stopped for safety reasons, but Verstappen managed the early chaos well.

He went on to win by 27 seconds after the restart, sealing his second world title.

In 2024, Verstappen once again showed his determination at the Brazilian Grand Prix. After a difficult qualifying left him 17th on the grid with an engine penalty, he climbed to 11th by the end of the first three corners.

He used the outside of the Senna S to overtake and then passed Lewis Hamilton on the start-finish straight at the close of Lap 1. Verstappen ended up winning the race in wet conditions, propelling himself toward a fourth world championship.

Most recently, at Imola in 2025, Verstappen started on the front row but had a slow getaway and was nearly pushed down to third. He positioned his car well to block George Russell and stopped Lando Norris from finding space on the inside.

This set up his crucial move around the outside of Piastri, using extra grip to brake later and take the lead in a move reminiscent of earlier successes. Verstappen’s decisive first laps continue to shape races and build his legacy as one of Formula 1’s best starters.

With the season still in progress, fans will be watching for more spectacular opening moves in the races ahead.

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.