Verstappen sees an opportunity in Madrid to get Red Bull to the front quickly

Verstappen had a mixed weekend in Italy, but ultimately managed to get the most out of his Red Bull. The four-time world champion finished third, keeping the McLarens and Ferraris behind him. Still, that result offers few guarantees for Madrid. The Madring is completely new for all Formula 1 teams except Ferrari, and Verstappen has only experienced the circuit in the simulator so far.

"It was a great result for us in Monza and we really maximized our performance there to secure a podium," Verstappen reflects. "Looking ahead to Madrid, it’s hard to predict how we’ll perform there. We’ve practiced on the simulator and it seems like a more challenging track to drive, as with most street circuits, especially because there are so many tricky corners."

The first free practice will therefore feature a packed program for Verstappen. A lot of data needs to be gathered to set up the car for the rest of the weekend. "We’ll also have to assess how much grip there is on Friday and build from there. Practice will be important to learn as much as possible before qualifying begins," Verstappen continues. Still, he also sees an opportunity for Red Bull. "That said, it’s a new circuit for everyone and hopefully we can hit the ground running and make a strong start."

Teammate Liam Lawson also isn’t quite sure what to expect from Red Bull in Madrid. The 24-year-old will line up alongside Verstappen again, as Isack Hadjar is not yet fit enough to return behind the wheel. The New Zealander likewise emphasizes that the simulator only tells part of the story. Only during first practice will it become clear how well the car actually suits the new circuit.

In principle, everyone is in the same boat. "Madrid will be an interesting weekend for everyone. So far we’ve only driven the track in the simulator, so first practice will tell us a lot about where we really stand," Lawson says. "It’s a unique circuit and the banked corner should make it interesting." For him, it’s also a chance to come back stronger after Monza. The weekend in Italy was somewhat challenging.

"Monza was a tough weekend from the start, because the engine change immediately put us on the back foot. That made it difficult to fully show what we were capable of," Lawson explains. "The positive is that we found good pace over the course of the weekend. That gives us confidence heading into Madrid."

The weather also looks set to be an important factor during Madrid’s debut weekend. It’s expected to stay dry and sunny, with temperatures rising from around 31 degrees on Friday to 33 degrees on Sunday. First practice starts on Friday at 1:30 p.m. You can find the full schedule here.