Laurent Mekies (Red Bull Racing) on Verstappen: “Max was incredible”

Max Verstappen fought his way to third place in the Italian Grand Prix, securing the 132nd podium of his career and his fifth of the current season. The Dutchman has thus consolidated his sixth place in the World Championship, putting a further five points between himself and Oscar Piastri in seventh place (who finished fifth at Monza).

Mercedes too fast, but third place achieved under his own steam

His team principal at Red Bull Racing, Laurent Mekies, praised a “well-deserved podium finish” after the race, saying: “It was an intense weekend, but the race showed that our pace was quite strong. Mercedes were a bit too fast for us, but we were strong enough to beat Ferrari and McLaren under our own steam.” The Silver Arrows were dominant on the high-speed circuit at Monza. In the early stages of the race, Verstappen did manage to get past George Russell on lap 12 (Kimi Antonelli was further back at that point, having started from 19th on the grid). However, just a few laps later, Verstappen had to concede defeat to the two Mercedes. The engine was too powerful, the car too fast!

“Best race pace in several weeks”

Mekies nevertheless recognises progress, saying: “It was probably our best race pace in several weeks and a step in the right direction. We won’t be satisfied until we’ve reached our absolute top speed, and we clearly still have a few challenges to overcome which may unlock even more performance once we’ve got to the bottom of them.”

He had high praise for four-time world champion Verstappen: “Max was incredible on the track today. He pulled off several spectacular overtakes and defensive manoeuvres and pursued an aggressive strategy that got us onto the podium.”

In place of Isack Hadjar, who remains sidelined through injury, Liam Lawson took the wheel of the second Red Bull Racing car at Monza (as he did at Zandvoort). Mekies: “Liam showed good pace after a difficult start to the race from the back of the field due to his engine penalties. The collision with Nico (Hülkenberg, ed.) meant we had to change his front wing, which ultimately ruined his chances of scoring points.”

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The drivers will have their next chance at a podium finish and points as early as this coming weekend, when the new circuit in Madrid is used for the first time. Whether Hadjar returns or Lawson steps in again will be decided in the next few days. For Mekies, however, one thing is certain: “We’re taking the improved pace and the many insights from Monza with us and are looking forward to the completely new circuit in Madrid in a few days’ time.”