Max Verstappen has outlined Red Bull Racing’s focus on car balance and pace ahead of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza this weekend. The four-time World Champion acknowledged the need for improvements following a disappointing retirement at the recent Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort. Verstappen stated that the team has ‘a few things to work on’ to enhance speed and ensure optimal car setup for the high-speed circuit.
The upcoming Italian Grand Prix will see Liam Lawson continue as Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull Racing. Lawson steps in for Isack Hadjar, who remains sidelined due to an ongoing wrist injury sustained during boxing training in the summer break. This marks Lawson’s second consecutive event with the Milton Keynes-based team.
Hadjar, who is eighth in the Drivers’ Championship, missed the Dutch Grand Prix and has not recovered sufficiently for Monza. Red Bull confirmed the Frenchman is still experiencing pain, with the team adopting a cautious approach to his return to competition.
Liam Lawson’s previous outing at Zandvoort saw him qualify eighth, one position behind Verstappen, and finish the race in seventh place, securing six points for Red Bull. Lawson’s primary 2026 seat is with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, where he partners with rookie Arvid Lindblad.
With Lawson deputising at Red Bull, Yuki Tsunoda will drive for Visa Cash App Racing Bulls at Monza. Tsunoda, who serves as Red Bull’s Test and Reserve Driver for 2026, finished 11th at the Dutch Grand Prix, narrowly missing out on points.
Further changes for the Italian Grand Prix include Ayumu Iwasa taking over Max Verstappen’s RB22 for the first free practice session. This will be Iwasa’s third FP1 appearance of the 2026 season, fulfilling part of Red Bull’s mandatory rookie running obligations.
Iwasa, a reserve driver for both Red Bull and Racing Bulls, previously drove the RB22 at the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona and the VCARB 03 at the Austrian Grand Prix earlier this season.
Verstappen’s last race at Zandvoort ended prematurely when he crashed out on the opening lap in challenging wet conditions. The incident marked a disappointing conclusion to what was the final Dutch Grand Prix for the foreseeable future.
Monza, known as the ‘Temple of Speed’, is a unique challenge on the Formula 1 calendar. The 5.793km circuit features long straights and tight chicanes, demanding a low-downforce aerodynamic setup to maximise straight-line speed.
Drivers spend over 80% of a lap at full throttle, reaching speeds exceeding 340 km/h. The circuit’s layout, including the Variante del Rettifilo and Variante della Roggia chicanes, places a premium on engine power and braking stability.
Verstappen has expressed his fondness for Monza, describing it as an ‘old school, fast circuit’ where Red Bull has historically performed well. He noted the passionate Italian fans as a highlight of the event.
However, opinions on Red Bull’s prospects at Monza are divided. Former Formula 1 driver Christijan Albers suggested the RB22’s straight-line efficiency could suit the circuit, potentially leading to a ‘surprise’ performance.
Conversely, Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko expressed less optimism, citing a significant performance deficit observed at the Dutch Grand Prix. Marko indicated that a four to five-tenths gap at Zandvoort makes a victory at Monza challenging.
Verstappen currently holds sixth position in the Drivers’ Championship with 112 points, trailing championship leader Kimi Antonelli by 130 points.
