Max Verstappen says he’s”very excited” for the Italian GP even though a back-of-the-grid start, using the Dutchman prepared to flaunt his own overtaking skills.
Following the disappointment of a first-lap DNF in Belgium, Verstappen heads to Monza using a new Spec 4 Honda engine and, including Red Bull team-mate Alex Albon and Toro Rosso’s Daniil Kvyat last weekend, is put to start in the rear row of the grid because of it, along with Pierre Gasly.
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However, Verstappen is adopting the struggle as it is a race he did not expect to have a chance of winning due to Ferrari and Mercedes’ strength advantage at the fastest track of F1.
“I’m really really excited,” he told Sky Sports. “Obviously we must start in the back and perform a while but in general once you take a look at it I think this track is going to be a struggle for us due to the straight-line speed Ferrari has, along with Mercedes of course is stronger on the straights than people.
“I think realistically, perhaps you can fight Mercedes should you start up there but it’s still going to be hard. Why not have a penalty, start in the trunk and attempt to come through into fifth. Maybe a bit of rain on Sunday will be nice.”
There is a threat of showers throughout the weekend and Verstappen, a star F1 2019 performer who’s third in the championship, admitted that a wet race will make Red Bull”more aggressive”.
The 21-year-old doesn’t, but believe he will be in the hunt for the podium.
“You are able to overtake,” Verstappen told reporters. “The problem is we are not that competitive in comparison to Ferrari or Mercedes.
“You will find other monitors where I began at the back and also finished on the podium because we had really good pace and we can do another strategy with tyres.
“I believe about here, I don’t hope to go to get a podium but if we can get back to fifth, let’s say in a normal race without any incidents, I think that’s a good result for us.”
Verstappen has begun lower or 16th on the grid five occasions from his Red Bull career and has procured two podiums from those races, even with a best finish of second in 18th at previous year’s United States GP.
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