Max Verstappen has played down his and Red Bull\u2019s return to the podium at last weekend\u2019s Dutch Grand Prix, saying the team \u201cneed to stay realistic\u201d as the F1 paddock rolls on to Monza.<\/p>\n
Verstappen\u2019s drive to second position at Zandvoort ended a run of four weekends without a Grand Prix rostrum finish \u2013 his success in that period being limited to victory in the Spa-Francorchamps Sprint.<\/p>\n
While there were some positives for Red Bull to take from the event, Verstappen made clear during Thursday\u2019s media duties in Italy that plenty of work lies ahead if they are to challenge for overall honours again.<\/p>\n
Asked what can be expected from Red Bull\u2019s package at the Temple of Speed, a low-downforce track that differs greatly to Zandvoort\u2019s high-downforce requirements, Verstappen replied: \u201cGood question. I don\u2019t even know myself.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was nice to be on the podium in Zandvoort. Of course we need to stay realistic. I think the pace in the race wasn\u2019t anything particularly strong, so there\u2019s still a few things that we need to understand a bit better, why in the race it didn\u2019t really go to plan.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut this is a completely different track, low-downforce, completely different corners as well. I guess we\u2019ll find out tomorrow [in practice]. Hopefully we can start a bit in a good place and just go from there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Zandvoort also brought another example of Red Bull making significant overnight progress between the first and second days of a race weekend \u2013 the RB21 and its predecessor<\/a> proving difficult to dial in over the last two seasons.<\/p>\n