08/09/2025 18:20
Former F1 driver Jean Alesi has identified a key strength which
enabled Max Verstappen to dominate the Italian Grand Prix "without
any trick". The four-time world champion comfortably converted pole
position into victory at Monza, finishing almost 20 seconds ahead
of McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. It was a
record-breaking performance from Verstappen, who set the quickest
lap in F1 history based on average speed to secure pole, before
completing the Italian GP in just over 73 minutes. The win marked
the Dutchman's third of the year and his first since Imola, with
Red Bull having made major progress at Monza. A new floor was
fitted to Verstappen's car which delivered better performance than
expected, making the RB21 much more balanced and to the
27-year-old's liking. Alesi was not surprised to see Verstappen win
so comfortably given he managed his pole lap without a tow, and
continued to show great pace in the race on blistered tyres. Asked
by RacingNews365 if he expected Verstappen to be so strong, Alesi
responded: "Yes, because the qualifying lap he did was alone,
without the tow, without any trick. "So that means he had very
good balance. In the middle of the race we saw some blistering on
the front tyres, and he was still fast. So then I said, 'Okay, no
problem.'" Verstappen's victory ended a five-race winning streak
for McLaren, who for much of the season have boasted the quickest
package at the majority of circuits. That was not the case in
Italy, with Alesi putting it down to the improved balance of the
Red Bull. "They [McLaren] have been the favourite every race so
far," added Alesi. "But Monza, the characteristic is that you are
without a normal rear wing, you have a very low rear wing level.
"I think the balance of the Red Bull was very good."
