Max Verstappen surprised Red Bull and the entire Formula 1 community during the Italian Grand Prix at Monza by breaking his winless streak and securing his third victory of the season. The Dutch driver not only impressed with his race pace but also astonished his own team with an unexpected and daring car setup choice that ultimately shaped the outcome.
At Monza, known for its exceptionally fast layout featuring long straights and tight chicanes, teams typically bring special aerodynamic packages aimed at maximizing speed on the straights, usually involving high-speed rear wings. However, Verstappen opted for a different approach, surprising many by requesting an unusually low-downforce rear wing setup, a move that raised eyebrows within the Red Bull garage but proved highly effective throughout the weekend.
Verstappen’s Unconventional Setup Catches Red Bull Off Guard
Former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya revealed that Verstappen personally instructed Red Bull to fit a rear wing with an extremely low level of downforce, defying conventional strategies suited for the Monza track. Initially, Red Bull’s engineers hesitated to implement such a risky configuration, but Verstappen insisted on going ahead with his plan.
“I think even Red Bull was surprised. The engineers didn’t want to do it, but Max said, ‘Do it, I want it this way.’ And after qualifying, Max said over the radio that it had actually worked, and he laughed. A driver like Max, with so much experience, it makes sense—he knows when to take risks. Honestly, it’s logical to be bold.”
—Juan Pablo Montoya, Former F1 Driver
This bold choice allowed Verstappen to secure pole position despite lacking the traditional ‘Monza-spec’ rear wing. His confidence in the setup was evident when he celebrated joyously on the team radio, signaling that his gamble had paid off. Montoya emphasized that Verstappen’s understanding of when to take calculated risks distinguishes him as a highly experienced and intelligent competitor.
McLaren Unable to Counter Verstappen’s Dominance at Monza
Throughout the season, McLaren has shown strong pace with drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri emerging as serious contenders against Verstappen and Red Bull. However, at the Italian GP, McLaren struggled to match Verstappen’s speed, despite expectations that their setup could provide an advantage with lower tire degradation.
Montoya highlighted that Verstappen’s low-downforce rear wing gave him a clear edge over the McLaren cars, allowing him to maintain superior pace. Contrary to predictions, McLaren’s cars, which had been faster earlier in the season under similar race conditions, were simply outmatched by Verstappen, who powered to a dominant victory with nearly 20 seconds in hand.
“One surprising thing was that Red Bull ran less wing than McLaren. You would have expected McLaren to be faster in the race with less tire degradation, but that wasn’t the case. McLaren could do nothing against Red Bull.”
—Juan Pablo Montoya, Former F1 Driver
Implications of Verstappen’s Monza Triumph for the Season
Verstappen’s victory at Monza stands out as one of the season’s key moments, showcasing his skill and adaptability under strong pressure. The Italian fans, known as the Tifosi, embraced the occasion enthusiastically, even joining in on chants celebrating Verstappen’s success. Despite this impressive performance, Red Bull faces the challenge of maintaining competitiveness throughout the remainder of the championship.
While Verstappen’s bold strategy and flawless execution delivered a crucial win at the Temple of Speed, the team understands that the championship battle remains intense, with several strong contenders still in the mix. As the calendar progresses, Verstappen and Red Bull will need to continue innovating and pushing their limits to stay ahead in the title fight.
