Red Bull Imola form a one-off? Monaco will tell...

Red Bull have been lagging behind McLaren since the start of the 2025 Formula 1 season, as the latter's MCP39 has been the car to beat so far, showing speed and, more importantly, superior tyre management, especially on tracks where the temperatures are elevated.

And that was the case in Imola last weekend, as the track temperatures did not drop below 42 degrees Celsius on all three days of running, conditions in which the MCL39 should have thrived, but that was not the case.

While Oscar Piastri took pole, Verstappen passed him brilliantly on the opening lap, and from there on the Australian could not keep up, which was also the case later in the race when Lando Norris could not close the gap to the leading Dutchman.

"I have to say we were a little surprised by the pace of Red Bull, which was very competitive," Stella told the media, including GrandPrix247, after the Emilian Romagna Grand Prix.

And when Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner was asked about his McLaren counterpart's statement, he responded: "We were also surprised by McLaren’s lack of performance.

"We definitely got the car in a very good window yesterday. Max was positive about the balance and the rear of the car. He suddenly felt that the balance window was better.

"Definitely we managed to put some performance on the car and get the car in a better window. As soon as you take away the sliding, you are able to manage the temperature a lot better.

"That was really encouraging," Horner went on. "McLaren on Friday looked very fast on the long runs. To have the pace we had in the race is maybe since certainly Brazil last year­ the first I can remember that we had the pace to pull away and be quicker than the McLaren.

"It is a long time we did not have the pace It is very encouraging and a great result for what is happening behind the scenes," the Briton maintained.

Horner revealed that the upgrades the team is bringing to the RB21 are more aimed towards changing some bad characteristics of the car rather than targeting ultimate performance.

"We are starting to understand," he said. "Obviously we are dealing with the upgrades of some characteristic of the upgrades as opposed to the ultimate downforce, and we address some of the characteristics. This is encouraging for the upcoming races."

However, Verstappen insisted that his RB21's superior pace at Imola was track-specific as Formula 1 now heads to Monaco, a track that hasn't been a happy hunting ground for the energy drinks outfit in recent years.

Quizzed whether that was the case, Horner was cautiously optimistic about the RB21's pace; he responded: "I'll tell you in another week.

"Generally we are getting a better grip and better understanding. The technical team has been working very hard on it.

"It is the second win of the season. We should have won in Jeddah. On the front row yesterday. It has been a very positive weekend.

"We are building a good momentum. This is very important in the championship," Horner pointed out. "An important win for the team and at this point in the championship.

"It feels like we are building a momentum behind the scenes. The factory, everybody behind the scenes is working incredibly hard. It is a timely win championship-wise.

"It keeps the pressure on and keeps us in touch," the Red Bull Racing boss concluded.

Verstappen remains third in the 2025 Formula 1 drivers' championship, 22 points behind leader Piastri. (Reporting by Agnes Carlier)