A filmmaker with a soft spot for Ronnie Peterson, Gilles Villeneuve, Mika Hakkinen and above all, Tazio Nuvolari and Ayrton Senna, is also a diehard Formula One fan since the age of 4 (mid-90's). An avid researcher of the past of Grand Prix Racing since before it was even named F1, and with a thirst for knowledge of the ins and outs of the actuality of the sport, as well as for the technical aspects that define it, is a member of GPblog since 2023, where he has put his love of racing to good use.
Max Verstappen's overtake on Oscar Piastri for the lead at Variante Tamburello has been a widely acclaimed pass, and GPDA chairman Alexander Wurz shares his take on the 'insane' move.
Verstappen admitted to his start not being the best. But to his left Mercedes driver George Russell got off the line very well, which polesitter Piastri was set on covering off. In doing so, though, he left a gap on the outside for Verstappen, who did not hesitate to capitalise on it with an excellent move on the outside of Turn 2.
"Piastri probably glanced in the mirror and thought: 'Max is still too far away'. But Verstappen perfectly sensed the moment and pulled off an insane move," said Wurz during the live broadcast by Austrian ORF. "That is world class. He analysed his opponent's weak spot in a flash and acted immediately."
Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri entering turn 1 during the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.
Piastri drives 'wisely' according to Wurz
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In the end Piastri, while quick, was on the slower strategy, as going long during the first stint proved the most fruitful, not only due to the two race neutralisations but also since the hard compound tyres did not have the pace at Imola.
But the way he lost, Wurz notes, reveales Piastri's championship-winning mentality.
"He could have given Verstappen a ‘bodycheck’ according to the rules and pushed him off the track. But he chose to secure the points and not take any risks. That's smart when you're racing for the championship."
According to the former F1 driver, Piastri's wisdom also has an aggressive side to it, which last Sunday was matched by Verstappen. “Back then, Piastri essentially said: ‘I am here,’ and now Max says: ‘Don’t forget I am here too – and how!’”
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