Verstappen proves Norris' concerns true?: 'We seem more competitive'

During FP1 the Red Bull Racing driver finished P4, albeit nearly six tenths off Lewis Hamilton, the session's leader.

In FP2, with teams turning trhe wick up just a bit, the field gre closer, Ferrari's dominance dissapeared, as McLaren took the top spot with Norris putting in the fastest time in the afternoon.

Verstappen, found some lap time as well, finishing just under two tenths of the McLaren driver.

Speaking after both Friday sessions, the Dutchman assessed his first day of on-track action in Monza with positivity.

“Today has been quite decent. Last year for us this was a very difficult weekend and we’ve seemed a lot more competitive today which has been good. I am happier with the car as well,” Verstappen said, touching on the previous edition of the Italian Grand Prix where he described the Red Bull car as a monster, which is not the case this year.

Recognising the difficulties that characterised the Friday sessions with drivers going off track and bringing gravel onto the tarmac, Verstappen warned that it may not be an easy situation come the race.

But overall, despite acknowledging that Red Bull can do better, the Dutchman is happy with his Friday at Monza, concluding that, "It’s been quite a decent Friday for us: there is work to do but it is better."

Red Bull chief advisor Helmut Marko also believes Verstappen may have a chance to knick the win from McLaren after Friday form showing.

Lando Norris, on his part, believes McLaren can still find more lap time, but he did stress that the close competition and the difficulties McLaren faces at low downforce tracks don't give him ultimate confidence for the rest of the weekend.