Verstappen cynical after the Italian GP in Monza: 'Apparently the fastest engine'
18:12, 06 Sep
2 Comments
Hidde Korte is an editor at GPblog, specializing in Formula 1 news. With a background in journalism and a strong passion for the sport, he delivers timely and reliable coverage of the pinnacle of motorsport.
Max Verstappen has responded to his third place in the Italian Grand Prix as he remained realistic about Red Bull's chances of catching Mercedes, raising questions about their power unit.
On Viaplay, the Dutchman reflected on his race. He was told that a podium in Monza wasn't on the bingo card. "I don't do bingo, but for us this is a good result. Still, we're obviously extremely slow on the straights."
That was also the prevailing thought for the Dutchman after the race. "Satisfied with the result, it's fine for us. But of course it's a shame that we're losing so much on the straight. That's not news, we've known that for a while. Apparently we do have the fastest engine," Verstappen said cynically.
Verstappen addressed issues at the rear of his car, which had bothered him all weekend. "The car didn't feel very good, but we maximised it," he said. "Especially in the slow corners, as I explained yesterday."
Verstappen lost time due to loosening asphalt
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Verstappen lost time at one point and ran wide in the first corner; he explained that it was due to the asphalt coming loose. "In Turn 2 the asphalt came loose and suddenly I nearly went off the track. I turned in and hit all the loose asphalt, which caused the car to snap. Kimi had that too, the asphalt was coming up.
"After that McLaren was in that overtake mode and we're just slow on the straight. Then they could benefit and I couldn't get them out of that overtake mode. That was until they started fighting, which gave me a second back. Then it was okay."
Verstappen’s compliments for Antonelli
Verstappen also offered compliments to Kimi Antonelli after his victory for Mercedes. "It's special to win your home race; it's the same as when I win in Zandvoort. He's doing very, very well."
Lastly, he commented on Loek Hartog’s actions, who saved a driver from a burning car in China. "I saw that, unbelievable. He did a great job. A lot of respect for that. Without him, he wouldn’t have survived." Ajax vs. PSV also came up; Verstappen is a big PSV fan. "You didn’t mention that match yet. I didn’t watch it, but it was a great game."
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