Verstappen Frustrated by Red Bull's Rear Axle Issue in Italian GP Qualifying
Max Verstappen encountered a rear axle issue during the Italian Grand Prix qualifying, limiting him to fifth on the grid. Red Bull's Liam Lawson also faced challenges, starting from the back after a grid penalty.
Red Bull's Max Verstappen found himself out of the pole position contention at the Italian Grand Prix, thanks to an untimely technical hiccup. During qualifying, Verstappen said he "immediately picked up a problem" with the rear axle, which left him starting fifth on the grid — a mere three-tenths behind the unexpected pole-sitter, Pierre Gasly.
The reigning World Champion noted that the issue with the rear axle wasn't new for Red Bull this season. "It happens at different phases on the weekend," Verstappen lamented, adding that the problem reared its head during qualifying, affecting his car's performance on Monza's notorious kerbs and bumps.
Despite some gains in FP3, the mechanical gremlin left Verstappen bouncing around more than he'd like. Post-qualifying, he mused on the possibility of a podium finish: "If we can fix it, then yes, I think the car will be in a better window."
Meanwhile, his teammate Liam Lawson, filling in for the injured Isack Hadjar, didn't have a smooth session either. Lawson ended up 13th and will start from the back due to power unit changes. He was mostly focused on long runs, knowing he wouldn’t be in the mix for pole. A late tow from Verstappen in Q2 was thwarted when Lawson encountered a roadblock in the form of McLaren's Oscar Piastri. Piastri's bold move earned him a grid penalty, but it also dashed any hopes of Lawson advancing to Q3 and potentially aiding Verstappen.
"We had good speed yesterday, but today was different," Lawson reflected. The plan to assist Verstappen didn't pan out, and being blocked at the first chicane was the final nail in the qualifying coffin.
Lawson admitted the weekend's focus was more on race strategy, knowing a penalty was inevitable. "It's not ideal," he said of the situation. "I spent the whole of qualifying in clean air until that last lap as well, so I hadn't even driven behind a car before. Wasn't ideal."
With the Italian Grand Prix looming, Red Bull's dynamic duo will be hoping for a smoother ride come race day.