Yesterday at 07:25
Max Verstappen has explained that no longer feeling like a
"passenger" in his Red Bull was critical to his dominant win at the
Italian Grand Prix. The Dutchman highlighted the significantly
improved balance of his car as a crucial factor in beating the
McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri at Monza, an unexpected
development following the introduction of a new floor to the RB21.
Having romped home to a near-20-second win at the Temple of Speed,
Verstappen explained that the overall package was more compliant .
That is in stark contrast to the "monster" RB20 he experienced at
the same venue 12 months ago, on an afternoon he finished over half
a minute behind race winner Charles Leclerc. Those difficulties
have persisted this season, but the latest upgrade appears to have
been a breakthrough for the Milton Keynes-based team , with the
four-time F1 drivers' champion immediately capitalising on the
update. "That it's just not… Well, before it felt like you were a
passenger in the car," Verstappen told media, including
RacingNews365 , when asked what stood out about the RB21 at Monza.
"We had some races where it was just not balanced. And now,
finally, there was more balance in the car and then the tyres also
behaved a little bit more normal." Verstappen: 'From there onwards
it was fine' It was Verstappen's 66th victory of his F1 career, but
just his third of the season. At 94 points adrift of Piastri in the
drivers' standings, it is all but certain he will not claim a fifth
consecutive championship. However, more wins may follow if he can
replicate the same form and performance he produced in the Red Bull
in Italy. Reflecting on the race, he highlighted how frenetic the
opening phase was. After handing the lead to Norris to avoid an
investigation and potential penalty for his defence in the first
corner, the 27-year-old regained the advantage a few laps later.
From there, his assured victory never looked in doubt. "There was a
lot going on after the first lap, even into Turn 1," he said. I
think Oscar and Charles [Leclerc] were fighting as well. I could
see in my mirror. So it took two, three laps to settle in a bit,
and then from there onwards it was fine." When asked how
confident he was after his decisive pass for the lead, he added:
"You don't know. I mean, of course, you are pushing a bit to try
and get ahead and then time will tell, right, in that stint, if it
was going to hang on or not. But after a few laps, it looked like
it was going really well."
