Red Bull and Max Verstappen emerged as the undeniable winners at Imola, both in execution and decisions. From the race start to the perfectly timed call to delay his first pit stop, Verstappen demonstrated complete control. Although he benefited from an early virtual safety car, which allowed him to change tires with minimal loss, the most crucial choices had already been made in his favor.
On the other side of the strategy spectrum was the pole-sitter, whose lead vanished right off the line. Oscar Piastri and his McLaren team opted for an early tire change, aiming for a two-stop plan, but this backfired dramatically as both safety car interventions disrupted their timing and destroyed their initial setup.
