Max Verstappen cites car balance issues after qualifying sixth at Monza
3 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 6, 2026, 6:27 PM
Last updated Sep 6, 2026
Max Verstappen secured the sixth-fastest time in qualifying for the Formula 1 event at Monza on Saturday. The Red Bull driver entered the session anticipating a difficult performance after experiencing a significant disconnect in car balance during Friday practice. Despite his efforts, he finished nearly three tenths behind the surprise polesitter, Pierre Gasly. Verstappen characterized the current state of his vehicle by stating it felt made out of paper due to the ongoing handling difficulties. Team principal Laurent oversaw the squad as they navigated the technical challenges across the weekend. The qualifying result leaves the Red Bull team working to address the specific performance gaps identified before the upcoming race.
- •Max Verstappen qualified sixth for the F1 event at Monza.
- •Pierre Gasly secured pole position for the race.
- •Verstappen reported a disconnect in car balance during practice sessions.
- •The Red Bull driver described his car as being made out of paper.
- •Qualifying took place on Saturday following Friday practice sessions.
- 6:27 PMMotorsport.com — How Max Verstappen tried to compensate for feeling "like a turtle" against Mercedes in Italian GP
- 5:30 PMAutosport — Verstappen's "Red Bull car made out of paper" comment explained
- 5:26 PMMotorsport.com — Max Verstappen explains Red Bull car "made out of paper" comment after mysterious issue
"After Friday practice and experiencing a ‘disconnect’ in the car balance, Max Verstappen already knew that Formula 1 qualifying at Monza would be difficult, and that proved to be the case a day later. The Red Bull driver set the sixth-fastest time on Saturday, almost three tenths behind surprise polesitter Pierre Gasly, but that does not tell the whole story. When team principal Laurent ...Keep reading
"After Friday practice and experiencing a ‘disconnect’ in the car balance, Max Verstappen already knew that Formula 1 qualifying at Monza would be difficult, and that proved to be the case a day later. The Red Bull driver set the sixth-fastest time on Saturday, almost three tenths behind surprise polesitter Pierre Gasly, but that does not tell the whole story. When team principal Laurent ...Keep reading
"After Max Verstappen said on Saturday that the Red Bull car was made out of paper, the Dutchman managed to reach the most beautiful podium on the Formula 1 calendar a day later: the iconic podium hanging above Monza’s main straight. The race pace proved considerably better than Verstappen had thought possible after qualifying, although he stresses that the same problems were still ...Keep reading
Sources
External links- Motorsport.comSep 6, 2026, 6:27 PMHow Max Verstappen tried to compensate for feeling "like a turtle" against Mercedes in Italian GP
After Max Verstappen said on Saturday that the Red Bull car was made out of paper, the Dutchman managed to reach the most beautiful podium on the Formula 1 calendar a day later: the iconic podium hanging above Monza’s main straight. The race pace proved considerably better than Verstappen had thought possible after qualifying, although he stresses that the same problems were still ...Keep reading
- AutosportSep 5, 2026, 5:30 PMVerstappen's "Red Bull car made out of paper" comment explained
After Friday practice and experiencing a ‘disconnect’ in the car balance, Max Verstappen already knew that Formula 1 qualifying at Monza would be difficult, and that proved to be the case a day later. The Red Bull driver set the sixth-fastest time on Saturday, almost three tenths behind surprise polesitter Pierre Gasly, but that does not tell the whole story. When team principal Laurent ...Keep reading
- Motorsport.comSep 5, 2026, 5:26 PMMax Verstappen explains Red Bull car "made out of paper" comment after mysterious issue
After Friday practice and experiencing a ‘disconnect’ in the car balance, Max Verstappen already knew that Formula 1 qualifying at Monza would be difficult, and that proved to be the case a day later. The Red Bull driver set the sixth-fastest time on Saturday, almost three tenths behind surprise polesitter Pierre Gasly, but that does not tell the whole story. When team principal Laurent ...Keep reading
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