Red Bull driver Max Verstappen never came close to the podium at Italian Grand Prix, but he hopes that everything changes in this weekend’s race at Monza Circuit.
Verstappen has never managed to reach the podium at Monza since he debuted in the category in 2015; last year he started from pole position but crashed into Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton and retired from the race.
“I like to stand on the podium everywhere but also this track has never been good to us; we just never really had that top speed and of course on some tracks you can compensate with a lower wing, but here, everyone tries low-downforce [set-ups] so you’re just stuck with it,” Verstappen said.
“And that’s why I think in the last few years we’ve just never really been competitive here. Plus, this was always a track where we always had to take engine penalties and stuff, which also never really helps to get to the podium.
“This year we have a good chance and if you look at our car throughout the season, we’ve always been good on the straights.” Verstappen added.
The Dutch driver won his 30th career race, completing a hat-trick of pole, win, and fastest lap for the fifth time, ensuring he arrives in Italy full of confidence and with more records in sight, including the 13-wins record shared by Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel.
“We never had top speed here; on some tracks you can compensate with a lower rear wing, but here, everyone else tries too and you’re stuck with that.” Verstappen said.
“It has always been a track where we get engine penalties and stuff, which also never helps.” Verstappen added.
Verstappen’s best result at Monza is fifth place in the 2018 GP. On the other hand, his teammate Sergio Perez has already managed to finish a race in Italy in the top three, in 2012, when he joined for Sauber.
