07/09/2025 09:15
Max Verstappen's pole position for the Italian Grand Prix surprised
many in the Monza paddock, with the four-time F1 drivers' champion
bettering the efforts of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. The
performance of the Red Bull during the free practice sessions was
competitive, yes, but seemingly not strong enough to beat the two
McLarens in qualifying and, to a certain extent, the Ferraris as
well. The result achieved in Q3 was therefore seen by many as yet
another masterpiece from the Dutchman, capable of compensating for
the RB21's weaknesses with sheer talent. In reality, despite the
contribution of the reigning champion to the overall performance,
an interesting detail emerged. According to immediate
post-qualifying reports, there was clear and confirmed satisfaction
among the Milton Keynes-based team's engineers, led by Pierre
Waché, regarding the car's specific performance. The reason for
this satisfaction lies in the fact that the new version of the
RB21's floor -modified at the level of the Venturi channels and the
lower flow conditioners - has effectively improved the aerodynamic
balance and the distribution of the downforce generated by the
floor. This is therefore not a change that only applies to Monza's
specific characteristics, but rather a development whose benefits
could extend to all remaining circuits until the end of the season.
In practice, the Temple of Speed was chosen for its introduction
because the track layout - and more importantly, the smoothness of
its tarmac - allowed for a precise evaluation of the gains this new
component could deliver. In this way, the team received clear
confirmation that the work done over the summer is starting to bear
fruit, also with a view towards 2026. It's worth reiterating that
the vehicle dynamics of next year's cars will remain closely linked
to those of the current generation. Therefore, finding the right
aerodynamic compromise to improve the overall balance of the car
was a conditio sine qua non - in other words, a bottleneck that had
to be overcome with future prospects in mind.
