Verstappen nuances chances at Monza: 'Mercedes has this advantage'

After retaking the lead in the drivers' championship a combative Max Verstappen states that Red Bull and Mercedes are so closely matched that only in the smallest details the winning difference can be made. He also looks ahead to the upcoming Grand Prix at Monza.

In a Red Bull Racing preview, Verstappen answers the question of which team, at this stage of the season, he would give the advantage to. "I don’t think either us or Mercedes have a big advantage over the other", said the Dutchman. "At Zandvoort you could see in qualifying and the race that both of our cars are super close and Lewis was applying pressure for the entire race which meant we couldn’t afford to make any mistakes on the track, in the pit lane or on the pit wall, and we didn’t."

Verstappen continued, seeing the most gains to be made in the small details: "I think it’s the finer details where you can make a difference. When you enter a race weekend you have to work hard as a Team on the set-up and fine tuning the little details, that’s where the gains can be made."

Monza good for Mercedes

Looking ahead to the Italian Grand Prix, Verstappen does predict that his team will have a relative disadvantage to their competitor: "I expect Monza to suit Mercedes as it hasn’t been our best track for the last few years but this year we are more competitive so you never know. If we continue what we have been doing, working well together as a Team, and nail every little detail then we can be competitive but Mercedes might have a top speed advantage on us."