'Wolff expressed it best after the race: Max Verstappen made the difference'

10:53, 10 Sep

Updated: 10:56, 10 Sep

byTobia Elia

Ralf Schumacher said he wasn’t particularly surprised to see Max Verstappen win the Italian GP in a dominant fashion over the two McLarens.

The four-time world champion ended his winless streak, which had lasted since last April when he won the Japanese GP, by returning to the top step of the podium at Monza last weekend.

Unlike at Suzuka, where he had been under pressure from the two McLarens throughout the race, in Italy the Dutchman had no rivals from the second lap onward, after overtaking Norris at Turn 1 to reclaim the lead.

Verstappen had already impressed on Saturday, securing an unexpected pole by outpacing Norris on the very last Q3 attempt, setting the fastest lap in Formula 1 history as well as a new track record.

Max Verstappen in Monza

Schumacher not surprised by Verstappen's weekend in Monza

Appearing on Sky Sports’ Backstage Boxengasse podcast, Ralf Schumacher said he was actually not very surprised to see that result last Sunday: ''It wasn’t that big of a deal for me, because we know that the McLaren, while it has a lot of downforce, isn’t necessarily the perfect car on a track like that and therefore has to make compromises, losing a lot on the long straights.''

''The Red Bull car, as we know, if Max Verstappen manages to get over the curbs without the car bouncing like a billy goat—as he sometimes likes to say—or like an old mule, then it’s clear what’s coming.''

Monza's win was achieved with an RB21 running an extremely low-downforce setup, featuring a heavily trimmed rear wing in the central section, as Red Bull opted for a very aggressive setup that ultimately paid off in the final result.

''Red Bull has a relatively small wing, which means they gain massively on the straights and can brake efficiently, so that worked out really well,'' the former German driver added.

''To be honest, I think Toto Wolff expressed it best after the race: Max Verstappen made the difference. Yuki Tsunoda wasn’t bad, but you can see who can really handle it. And you have to say, Max Verstappen in his Red Bull made everyone else look a bit old that weekend.''

''That move where he pulled back again shows just how much he could play around, because most others just couldn’t manage it in such dirty air,'' he finally concluded.