Red Bull boss points out 'very small details' that made difference for Monza pole

09:54, 07 Sep

byTobia Elia

Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies praised Verstappen’s qualifying performance at Monza, with the Dutchman set to start at the front for the Italian GP.

He appeared significantly more competitive than in previous editions, but the pole position secured by the four-time world champion at Monza also left Laurent Mekies impressed—especially on a track where Red Bull has historically struggled in recent years.

Last year, Verstappen had qualified in seventh, a full seven-tenths behind Lando Norris, who yesterday managed to edge him out by just a few thousandths of a second.

Verstappen gets pole at Monza

Mekies praises Verstappen's 'incredible job' at Monza

''First, a big, big credit to Max and to the team, an amazing job,'' the Frenchman said at the end of qualifying, praising Verstappen's performance.

''Last year here was one of the most difficult races for the team. It was very difficult qualifying, very difficult race.''

''The guys did an incredible job looking back into what has slowest done last year and coming this year with different solutions.''

''Friday was very solid. There was quite a few teams, I think, that could have done the pole today. Both Ferraris, both McLarens, probably both Mercedes and us. It was down to very, very small details, but Max did an incredible job,'' he reiterated.

Shifting the focus to what can be done ahead of today’s race, Mekies added: ''Normally the gap to McLaren increases from qualifying to race. So we are used to see them disappear in the race.''

''This time we will at least start in front of them and we'll see if we have the pace to keep fighting with them or not.''

''They have been stronger in the race, stronger than in qualifying in relations to us. Every race that comes is for us, we come here with something to try to close that gap. We are running slightly different level of drag. Let's see how it turns out with the tyres.''