Expert Questions Verstappen's Sole Impact in Monza Win

F1 mental coach Dr. Riccardo Ceccarelli suggests Max Verstappen's dominant Italian Grand Prix victory stemmed more from Red Bull Racing's car performance than solely his driving skill. Ceccarelli argues Monza's track layout minimizes driver impact, pointing to crucial, underlying team progress.

Why it matters:

This perspective challenges the narrative that Verstappen's talent alone consistently carries Red Bull. If the car has truly improved beyond track-specific advantages, it signals a broader team resurgence. This shift could dramatically alter F1's competitive balance, intensifying the championship battle and pressuring rivals. It suggests a fundamental evolution, not just a driver overcoming machinery.

The Details:

• Dr. Riccardo Ceccarelli, owner of Formula Medicine, noted Verstappen's formidable qualifying speed often struggled to translate into consistent Sunday race dominance against McLaren.
• At Monza, Verstappen quickly reclaimed the lead from Lando Norris after an initial instruction, then remained unchallenged.
• Ceccarelli asserts Monza's layout, with its numerous straights and few chicanes, is not where a driver can "make such a clear difference."
• Following a discussion with Red Bull's Head of Racing and Verstappen's Race Engineer, Ceccarelli reported sensing "optimism about the future," implying significant "behind-the-scenes" team efforts.
• Red Bull's Caution: Max Verstappen and Technical Director Pierre Waché remain conservative, attributing Monza's victory to the circuit's suitability for Red Bull's low-to-medium downforce setup, not a general performance leap.

What's next:

The upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix is the crucial test for Red Bull's recent performance. This race will clarify if the Monza victory was an isolated, track-dependent success or a definitive sign of a genuine return to top-tier form. The F1 paddock will closely watch their pace on this different street circuit.