The Red Bull pilot is preparing for the Italy GP: “I knew that less competitive seasons would come. Next year with the new regulations the grid can be stressed entirely”
Monza is the Kingdom of Passion Ferrari and Max Verstappen was not able to do without talking about the Red. On the eve of the first free practice of the Italy GP, the Dutch champion of the Red Bull, whose future is always at the center of many market speculations, has not escaped a question about his possible landing in the Cavallino. Given that in recent times its name has never been combined with the Maranello team: “Ferrari in the future? I don’t know. They already have two drivers under contract for next year, so there is no discussion. There is a possibility? In life there is always a possibility for every decision. For me, at the moment, it is not on the horizon. But who knows?
Lewis’ problems
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The great rival Lewis Hamilton, for example, the great transition to the Cavallino has cultivated and built him, even if he is not going as dreamed. Has Verstappen was surprised to see Lewis in difficulty? “I cannot enter into details on how he worked in Mercedes, how he feels personally or what is happening in Ferrari – said the Dutchman – he entered a team with a strong driver like Leclerc, and it is never easy. To arrive immediately and beat an already well integrated companion, who knows the team and the language, is not simple. These cars can be complicated: it is not always clear because you are fast or not. Beyond this, Ferrari is a huge brand. Pilots can be seen at Ferrari.
Descent from the throne
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This year, after 4 years, Max will have to yield the world champion crown. How is the imminent descent from the throne live? “I would have preferred to be in battle, but it is part of life. I knew that less competitive seasons would come. You prepare for these moments. I can’t force the situation, it is important to work together and understand the weak points. Every weekend, going to the track knowing that winning will be difficult is not ideal, but many in F1 are in this condition. Few really win in the career. I have won a lot and this helps to put everything in perspective”.
Monza and 2026
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As for this weekend, Verstappen is not seen among the favorites: “I would like to be optimistic, but when a car is a second faster than all the others in the race, like in Zandvoort, I do not wait for it to be very different here. Maybe we will go a little better, I don’t know. We have weaknesses in certain curves. The problem of these cars is that they generate every year more loaded, but they remain very efficient on the right. Much. Finally, a question about 2026: sees a Red Bull that will return to be competitive or will be more in “reconstruction” mode, also considering that there will be the big novelty of the engines produced at home: “It is a great question mark. Honestly, nobody can say now” we will be really strong “. There are no guarantees. Bringing an engine of our is a great challenge, but also exciting. It gives us the best possibility of being competitive instead of another manufacturer. Rules are complex: the engine is fundamental, but a good car is also needed.
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