Max Verstappen says he cannot complain with qualifying seventh for the Italian Grand Prix, as Red Bull looks like the fourth quickest team over one lap around Monza behind Mercedes, Ferrari, and Williams.

The Milton Keynes-based team entered round 14 of this year’s Formula One world championship with modest ambitions compared to its recent form, as it expects the Temple of Speed not to suit its Renault-powered Red Bull RB12.

“I am actually pretty happy with qualifying,” Verstappen said. “I thought we would be further behind Ferrari for example. At the end it was only half a second.

“Wit the compromise we have had to make with the downforce levels, I think we can be pretty happy.

“It was actually very tight. Because we lost radio communications at the end, I did not know where I was so I came in and I saw seventh and was like ‘ah that’s not too bad, three hundredths to P5. I think we can’t complain.”

With Daniel Ricciardo lining up one spot ahead of him in sixth, Verstappen plays down the chance of Red Bull recovering to a podium finish on Sunday.

“You never know, normally we are a little bit stronger in race pace than in qualifying so we will see. But we are still behind so if we were to fight for the podium, we should have qualified around there as well.”

REPORT: Imperious Hamilton storms to Monza pole

Silbermann says ... Mad about Max, Monza and Massa

Claire Williams on Felipe Massa and 2017 driver plans

Romain Grosjean column: Speed, sponsors and scheduling

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Julien Billiotte

Recent Posts

Horner: Max 'answered critics' with epic Sao Paulo GP drive

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner hailed Max Verstappen’s sensational Sao Paulo Grand Prix victory…

9 mins ago

Sainz left puzzled by double crash drama in rainy São Paulo

Carlos Sainz was left scratching his head after a disastrous Sunday at the Sao Paulo…

1 hour ago

Alonso pushed through agonizing pain to complete Sao Paulo GP

Fernando Alonso braved both physical agony and mechanical challenges in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix,…

3 hours ago

Alpine double-podium in Brazil could deliver $30 million windfall

Alpine’s remarkable double podium at the São Paulo Grand Prix with Esteban Ocon and Pierre…

17 hours ago

F1i's Driver Ratings for the 2024 São Paulo GP

Alexander Albon, Williams (Did Not Start): 5.5/10 Alex Albon is definitely going through something of…

19 hours ago

Jos Verstappen rips British media after Brazilian Max fest

Jos Verstappen wasted no time after his son spectacular win at the São Paulo Grand…

20 hours ago