Max Verstappen is not concerned about the straight-line speed advantage of the Mercedes-powered cars around him at the start of the Italian Grand Prix.
The Red Bull driver will start on pole for tomorrow’s race. Verstappen finished sprint qualifying in second place, behind Valtteri Bottas. However, Bottas will take a power unit change penalty and start from the back of the grid.Lewis Hamilton’s poor start to the sprint qualifying race means he will line up fourth, with the two Mercedes-powered McLaren cars between the two title rivals.
Mercedes had seemed to hold a significant pace advantage over Red Bull in qualifying. However, Verstappen said that during the 18-lap sprint he found the Red Bull pace was better than had been predicted.
“The race went a little bit better than expected,” admitted Verstappen. “We had a good start, got up to second and we scored some nice little points and of course, starting on pole for tomorrow.”
However he admitted the Mercedes drivers “still seem very quick” and was unable to catch Bottas. “I was giving it my all to try and stay close so it’s going to be an interesting battle tomorrow.”
Verstappen said that the predicted speed deficit was not quite as large as it might have been, Red Bull having removed downforce to match Mercedes’ pace around Monza.
“We did trim our car to have decent top speed so I’m not too worried about our top speed in the race,” Verstappen explained. “But of course, we know that Mercedes have very good pace also, over the whole lap.
“But nevertheless, we’re going to try and have also a good race tomorrow.”
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
2021 Italian Grand Prix
- Who was to blame for Hamilton and Verstappen’s collision at Monza?
- Hamilton-Verstappen crash was ‘a racing incident, no danger’ – Alonso
- Hamilton pleased stewards “set a precedent”, Verstappen “doesn’t fully agree”
- Ricciardo didn’t need title rivals’ latest clash for stunning Monza win
- Why Verstappen’s grid penalty differed from Hamilton’s Silverstone sanction
Balue (@balue)
11th September 2021, 17:29
Meaning not too worried now that the real race pace showed he was not too far off Bottas, and with a 2 McLaren buffer.
papaya
11th September 2021, 18:04
Ok so now Verstappen has no fear as the Red Bull shown they’re competitive at the so-called “Mercedes’s power track”. This season I think whoever led from the start most likely will win, as overtake proved to be mammoth effort, unless there’s fresh tyre advantage…
Back to question, now is there any more Mercedes advantage track? Or Red Bull can answer by taking out “wing”? If so Verstappen domination wins till end of season?
Patrick (@anunaki)
11th September 2021, 18:25
I don’t think you can know if Bottas was giving it all today. Max was never going to attack him so he only had to manage the pace
P. Petterson (@petterson)
11th September 2021, 18:32
Verstappen did not need to attack him because Bottas has a grid penalty. Maybe he was the one holding back a little.