Verstappen: "Entered the season wanting to fight Mercedes"

Max Verstappen managed to qualify for the Italian Grand Prix in fifth place. The Dutchman got the necessary competition from Racing Point and McLaren and was therefore just short of third place. Verstappen is disappointed that he has to fight this battle at all.

"It's just not a good weekend for us. I tried everything on the car, less downforce, more downforce, changed the balance of the car and in the end I drove the same lap time every time. That just shows that there is no balance in the car."

Verstappen says that they did try some things with slipstreams together with teammate Alex Albon, but in the end it didn't matter much. The goal with which they came to Monza wasn't achieved either.

"Of course, this season we started with the assumption that we were going to fight with Mercedes and now in Monza you are behind a McLaren and a Racing Point. That's just not good. The car just didn't feel right compared to last year either. We're just going to fight for P3, but that's not what I'm here for, so I don't really care," said a disappointed hint.