Brown dubs season 'far from over' as McLaren falls to 'very strong' Verstappen

21:41, 18 May

byNorberto Mujica

Max Verstappen took his 65th win of his F1 career at Imola, ahead of a McLaren 'without answers' to the 'very strong' Dutchman, notes the Woking-based team's CEO Zak Brown.

Verstappen drew first blood at the start with a daring move around the outside of polesitter Oscar Piastri for the lead. "It was a great move," Brown said in conversation with Viaplay.

"We couldn't beat them today, they were fast. Long season still to go and I think it just shows that this season is far from over."

McLaren could match Red Bull, they were just answerless to Verstappen

Red Bull's upgrades seem to have done the trick at Imola, as Verstappen was able to pull away since he took the lead on lap 1. Nevertheless Brown, believes McLaren were able to match Red Bull's pace, but for the Dutchman the papaya outfit simply did not have answers.

"Max was definitely very strong from the beginning to the end. I think he was faster than us all race. I mean, we were pretty much on the same lap time, but he controlled it very well. So I don't think we had anything for him today."

On Lando Norris' overtake of Piastri in the latter stages of the race, Brown saw McLaren sticking to their guns and everything working out well for the team.

"Let them race. That was the decision from from [the] pitwall and it was a good move Lando made."