Max Verstappen's Pole Masterclass: How Red Bull Outsmarted McLaren at Monza
Summary
Max Verstappen claimed pole at Monza with an F1 record lap, mastering Red Bull's setup to defeat McLaren's challenge and rival missteps.
Max Verstappen secured pole at Monza, setting the fastest F1 qualifying lap ever. The Red Bull RB21's low-downforce setup, refined for precision, was key to overcoming McLaren's challenge.
Why it matters:
Verstappen's pole at Monza, where Red Bull faced struggles previously, showcases their car's adaptability and provides a crucial race advantage.
The Details:
- Red Bull's Advantage: The RB21 excelled on Monza's low-downforce layout. Front wing fine-tuning gave Verstappen ideal rotation through chicanes.
- Tow Strategy Neglected: Critical slipstream benefits went largely unused.
- McLaren avoided tow tactics due to driver championship rivalry.
- Red Bull's Yuki Tsunoda suffered a battery issue after an initial tow for Verstappen.
- Ferrari chose tyre preparation over risky tow maneuvers, per Fred Vasseur, citing out-lap regulations.
- McLaren's Struggles: Lando Norris admitted "too many mistakes" and lock-ups. He needed a tow from Oscar Piastri in Q2 and finished 0.077s behind Verstappen.
- Other Challenges:
- Ferrari's ultra-low-drag setup proved less effective on the high-grip track; Charles Leclerc P4.
- Mercedes' George Russell had a tyre communication mix-up, missing his preferred medium compound in Q3.
What's Next:
Verstappen's track position is vital for the anticipated one-stop race, providing a strong advantage despite McLaren's potential race pace.
Original Article :https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/mark-hughes-how-verstappen-overcame-mclarens-...
