Verstappen to Avoid 'Sh*tty' Monza Tow Situation

Max Verstappen won't chase a tow at Monza, saying it could put him in a "sh*tty" qualifying spot. The four-time champion, still winless in 2026, wants to get the most out of his RB22 alone — no help from teammate Liam Lawson.

Why it matters:

The Monza slipstream is a huge weapon, but it's risky. Last year, McLaren used it to put Lando Norris on provisional pole, only for Verstappen to steal pole by 0.077s without a tow, setting a lap record. With new engine regulations and energy harvesting, the tow is considered more important than ever this season — yet he's choosing to avoid the chaos.

The details:

• He's "not really looking for" a tow, preferring clean laps and a good car window.
• He cited past "big mess" qualifying moments where tow-hunting went wrong.
• Asked if Lawson — standing in for Isack Hadjar again — could tow him in Q3, Verstappen said he hasn't thought about it; the team will decide. "I never ask things to the team."
• Verstappen is sixth in the standings, 112 points to Antonelli's 242, with four podiums in 12 races.

What's next:

His solo approach will be put to the test in qualifying, where tow strategies could shuffle the grid. With Red Bull still chasing race-winning form, a clean Monza lap might be his best shot at a first 2026 victory.