Max Verstappen hails Monza breakthrough as Red Bull prepares for Baku challenge. Max Verstappen says Red Bull’s Italian GP win at Monza was a key breakthrough for car setup.

Verstappen sees Monza as a breakthrough for Red Bull’s setup

Reigning Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen believes the Italian Grand Prix at Monza may have marked a turning point for Red Bull. After a long winless streak, the Dutchman returned to the top step of the podium in Italy, giving both himself and the team renewed energy as they look ahead to the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku.

From past struggles to renewed momentum

Just a year ago, both Monza and Baku were extremely difficult weekends for Verstappen. At the time, Red Bull had chosen not to invest budget into developing a low-downforce rear wing, which left the team struggling badly on high-speed circuits. This season, however, the scenario is very different. Verstappen triumphed at Monza thanks in part to the introduction of a new floor, breaking his drought and restoring confidence within the team. With that victory behind him, expectations are high that he will attack strongly in Baku.

Verstappen: “Monza was an incredible race”

“Monza was an incredible race for us and we made a big step forward towards the setup goals we had set for the car,” said Max Verstappen. “That win gave everyone in the team a big boost. I went back to the factory this week to celebrate with the team, which was fantastic, and I also trained in the simulator to prepare for the next race. Now we head back overseas to Baku, which is always a bit more challenging on a street circuit. The mix of slow-speed corners and the long main straight demands a compromise in setup and finding the right rear wing level.”

Tsunoda confident despite missed opportunity at Monza

Yuki Tsunoda returned to Q3 at Monza after a long absence, but his race ended without points due to damage. Still, the Japanese driver remains optimistic about Red Bull’s progress and his role in helping the team push for a higher finish in the Constructors’ Championship. “Monza was a disappointing race, but I came away focusing on the positives, such as our strong qualifying performance and the knowledge that the pace was there if we hadn’t suffered damage,” Tsunoda explained. “We are making progress every week. Max showed why he is the benchmark with that victory, and we know we are getting closer to him race by race, so it’s reassuring to see that our work is paying off.”

Tsunoda admitted it was frustrating not to show the full potential of the car in Italy, but he feels encouraged for Azerbaijan: “At Monza we couldn’t display the true speed of the car, which was frustrating, but it gives me confidence for this weekend. We need to work more on the long runs. Baku is a fun but demanding circuit, where surprises can always happen. You have to stay fully focused and careful to get the most out of it, and that’s what I’ll try to do this weekend.”