Verstappen: 'I don't expect them to be a big threat'

Max Verstappen is hoping for a better pace at Sunday's Italian Grand Prix. The long runs looked good for the Dutchman, but Verstappen is hoping he can get past the other drivers quickly. He finished qualifying on P2, but with his five-place grid penalty, the Red Bull Racing driver will start a little further back.

"You can see the whole weekend they have been very competitive and Spa was a fluke for many other teams, especially other teams. I think we chose to run a little bit more downforce compared to other teams," Verstappen began speaking about Ferrari in conversation with Sky Sports. The RB18 is running with a little more downforce compared to the other teams this weekend, which is probably why Verstappen was just short of pole position. The set-up should work better in Sunday's race though. "I felt quite comfortable on the long runs." 

Verstappen not keen on DRS train

Verstappen himself expects to start in seventh place with his five-place grid penalty, but it is possible that he will also start from P4, according to various calculations. "They [Mercedes and McLaren] were quite far off in qualifying, so I don't expect them to be a big threat. I hope that it doesn't become a DRS train because then it makes it difficult for me to pass them."

Last year Verstappen crashed out at Monza following a crash with title rival Lewis Hamilton, so this season the Dutchman will be looking to finish.