Waché Assesses Red Bull's Positive Opening Day at Monza

Red Bull technical director Pierre Waché drew positive conclusions after the team's strong start to the Monza weekend, with Max Verstappen looking competitive on both single-lap pace and in long runs.

Why it matters

Max Verstappen, fresh from a second-place finish at Zandvoort, continued his strong form at Monza. His performance on Friday indicates Red Bull's potential to be a front-runner, despite the track's unique demands.

The details

• Verstappen's Performance: The four-time world champion finished Friday's sessions sixth fastest, just two tenths behind leader Lando Norris. Crucially, he also posted the second-best long-run average, again only behind the McLaren driver, indicating strong race pace.
• Waché's Insights: Pierre Waché noted Monza's specific setup challenges due to downforce levels. He stated, "This year we have tried to focus on that aspect in terms of balance, rear wing level and overall tyre management."
• Tyre Strategy: While long-run performance looked positive, Waché admitted struggles with the Soft compound. "We have struggled during today to extract performance on that compound," he said, highlighting this as a key area for improvement.

Looking ahead

The team's primary focus overnight will be on optimizing the Soft tyre balance and further refining long-run performance. Waché also emphasized the risk of graining on Monza's smooth, high-speed circuit, indicating tyre protection will be crucial for success. Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda, though ninth fastest, lagged eight tenths behind Verstappen in race pace, suggesting a different challenge for the AlphaTauri driver.