Verstappen not concerned with record books: 'Just want to have a good race'

Max Verstappen will start the Italian Grand Prix from second position. Carlos Sainz took pole position on Saturday and was narrowly faster than the Dutchman by 13 thousandths. Verstappen will definitely not go 'all-in' at the first corner, as 'it's a very long race'.

The last time Verstappen started a Grand Prix from second position was in the Hungarian Grand Prix. Then Lewis Hamilton started from pole position. The Dutchman then passed Hamilton right at the first corner. The Dutchman is not keen to do the same in Italy and overtake Sainz right away.

"It's a hot day, you have to really look after your tyres, and you need a good balance in the car, and I think, looking at yesterday, we had a good win on the long runs as well, so hopefully we can show that today. We'll try to of course have a good start, but from day one, this is such a long race with a lot of things that can happen," Verstappen said in the Formula 1 Drivers' Parade.

If Verstappen wins the Italian Grand Prix, the two-time world champion will become the first driver in Formula 1 history to win 10 Grands Prix in a row. The Dutchman currently shares that record with Sebastian Vettel. "I obviously don't really want to think about that. I just want to have a good day, I want to have a good race, and if it's possible, of course we go for it."