\u201cBut I\u2019m certain that Red Bull can compete with Max. They are incredibly strong on tracks with low downforce.\u201d<\/p>\n
Verstappen was also competitive at Spa, another circuit where straight-line efficiency matters heavily. \u201cMax\u2019s car is fast on the straights,\u201d said Albers, \u201cso I believe they will be competitive in Italy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe that Max can pull off one of the big surprises of the 2026 season at Monza.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Race](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/podium-crowd1.jpg\")
Race winner Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing Second placed Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren Third placed Oscar Piastri of Australia and McLaren and Pierre Wache, Technical Director of Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrate on the podium with Champagne during the F1 Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo Nazionale Monza on September 07, 2025 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Zak Mauger\/LAT Images) \/\/ Getty Images \/ Red Bull Content Pool \/\/<\/p>\n
Albers also noted that championship leader Kimi Antonelli is facing a grid penalty to accommodate the ADUO upgrade. \u201cIn my view, Max has a good chance in Monza also because Antonelli has to serve his penalty for installing new engine parts,\u201d said the Dutchman.<\/p>\n
After Monza, however, Albers expects Verstappen\u2019s title challenge to become much more difficult.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn my view, it will likely come down to a duel between Kimi Antonelli in the Mercedes and Lando Norris in the McLaren.\u201d<\/p>\n
Norris arrives at Monza having won the last two races, in Hungary and Zandvoort, but McLaren itself is warning that the Italian circuit could shuffle the competitive order.<\/p>\n
Technical director Neil Houldey said: \u201cWe know we have had a quick car at the last few races, but we are not taking anything for granted.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a very different track from the most recent ones, and we can expect a pecking order that not necessarily reflects what has been seen in Hungary and in the Netherlands.\u201d<\/p>\n
McLaren has also confirmed that its so-called H-Wing \u2013 its version of the \u2018Macarena\u2019 rotating rear-wing concept \u2013 will make its race-weekend debut at Monza after being tested in Hungary.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis weekend, we have brought what we believe is needed to be competitive, including a new low-drag rear wing specification, including the first use of our H-Wing,\u201d Houldey said.<\/p>\n
The team says the system\u2019s name is a deliberate reference to the famous 2010 F-duct, this time taking the \u201cH\u201d from Etihad Airways branding on the rear wing.<\/p>\n
Marko doubts Verstappen can win at Monza<\/p>\n
(GMM) Dr Helmut Marko has poured cold water on hopes that Max Verstappen can win at Monza, while also criticizing the new engine regulations that have placed Red Bull-Ford at the top of the FIA\u2019s power-unit ranking.<\/p>\n
Speaking to Austrian newspaper Osterreich, the former Red Bull advisor said the Italian GP is probably arriving too soon for the team to consider victory.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn the short Zandvoort circuit, we were four or five tenths of a second behind,\u201d said the 83-year-old. \u201cThat\u2019s an eternity.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWinning will be difficult.\u201d<\/p>\n
Marko instead pointed to later races as better opportunities.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur best chance might be in Texas, Las Vegas, or Mexico,\u201d said the Austrian.<\/p>\n
He also took issue with the FIA\u2019s current development handicap system \u2013 ADUO \u2013 after Red Bull-Ford twice emerged as the benchmark power unit.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese regulations are outdated and need to be changed immediately,\u201d said Marko.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe powertrain consists of an internal combustion engine, electric motor, software, and battery. Red Bull certainly doesn\u2019t have the best powertrain.\u201d<\/p>\n
Marko said the chassis development path has also hurt the team.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey didn\u2019t start so badly, but then things went in the wrong direction,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you develop in the wrong direction twice, it becomes financially difficult with the cost-cap regulations.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked how much Adrian Newey\u2019s departure had hurt Red Bull, Marko defended the remaining technical group.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe team already proved last year, when they narrowly lost the World Championship without Newey, that they\u2019re capable,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut as you know, I\u2019m just a spectator from afar now.\u201d<\/p>\n
He also admitted Verstappen\u2019s heavy Zandvoort crash gave him a scare.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was quite startled when the car was sideways,\u201d he said. \u201cThank goodness there was some distance to the cars behind, and luckily Lawson reacted really well.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf someone drives into a car that\u2019s sideways like that, it can be really dangerous.\u201d<\/p>\n