News summary
- Max Verstappen urged caution when assessing Red Bull’s potential at the Italian GP, admitting it is still difficult to predict how competitive the team will be at Monza.
- The Dutchman said Red Bull needs to make further adjustments to the car, particularly to find the right balance for the low-downforce demands of the Italian circuit.
- Verstappen remains positive about returning to Monza, one of his favorite tracks and a venue where Red Bull has historically performed well.
Max Verstappen adopted a cautious approach when assessing Red Bull’s prospects at the Italian GP this weekend. The Dutchman acknowledged that it is still difficult to predict the team’s level of competitiveness at Monza and pointed to areas of the car that need further adjustment.
The comments come after a frustrating weekend at Zandvoort, where Verstappen was unable to finish the race in front of his home crowd. Despite the disappointment, the Red Bull driver highlighted the importance of having one final special moment with the fans before turning his attention to the Italian round.
“Not being able to finish the race in Zandvoort was disappointing, but it was still very special to see the fans at the circuit one last time and thank them for all the memories. We’re heading to Monza to regroup; it’s difficult to predict how competitive we’ll be,” Verstappen said.
Verstappen’s main concern is related to adapting the car to Monza’s characteristics. The Italian circuit demands low downforce and strong straight-line efficiency, while also requiring stability under heavy braking. As a result, the Dutchman believes Red Bull still needs to find the right balance before setting expectations for the weekend.
Despite his caution, Verstappen made no secret of his excitement about returning to Monza. The circuit is among the driver’s favorites, with the Red Bull star particularly enjoying its high-speed characteristics and classic layout.
“There are a few areas where we need to work to get closer to the ideal pace and make sure the car balance is right. Monza is one of my favorite tracks, and I like the fact that it is a fast, classic-style circuit; I always enjoy coming here and seeing the fans. It is a track where we have generally performed well in the past, so we’ll wait and see what we can achieve,” he concluded.
Red Bull heads to Monza looking to rebound after a difficult Dutch GP weekend, while Verstappen will also be seeking to strengthen his position in the championship battle. The Italian GP will be another opportunity to assess the team’s performance on a circuit with very different demands from Zandvoort.
The Formula 1 season returns this weekend, from September 4 to 6, at Monza. Check the Italian GP 2026 schedule and full session times for all the details. GRANDE PRÊMIO will cover all the action from the Italian GP, the 13th round of the 2026 season.
FAQ
1. Why is Verstappen cautious about Red Bull’s chances at Monza?
Verstappen believes Red Bull still needs to find the right car balance for Monza’s low-downforce layout. He therefore considers it too early to predict how competitive the team will be.
2. What makes Monza different from other F1 circuits?
Monza is a high-speed, low-downforce circuit that places a strong emphasis on straight-line speed, aerodynamic efficiency and stability under heavy braking.
3. Why does Verstappen like racing at Monza?
The Dutchman considers Monza one of his favorite circuits because of its fast, classic layout and the atmosphere created by the Italian fans. He also highlighted Red Bull’s historically strong performances at the track.
