Skip to main content

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Recommended for you

Indecent proposal? How Sainz's big idea to change F1 qualifying might work

Feature
Formula 1
British GP
Indecent proposal? How Sainz's big idea to change F1 qualifying might work

Why Ferrari fears "deficit could be twice as big" to Mercedes at Silverstone and Spa

Formula 1
British GP
Why Ferrari fears "deficit could be twice as big" to Mercedes at Silverstone and Spa

How "charging station" Silverstone will really look different in F1 2026

Formula 1
British GP
How "charging station" Silverstone will really look different in F1 2026

Alonso denies claim that Aston Martin's Hungarian GP upgrade will decide his F1 future

Formula 1
British GP
Alonso denies claim that Aston Martin's Hungarian GP upgrade will decide his F1 future

Dixon to leave Chip Ganassi Racing at end of 2026 IndyCar season

IndyCar
Mid-Ohio
Dixon to leave Chip Ganassi Racing at end of 2026 IndyCar season

Kay back to the top of Autosport National Rankings table

National
Kay back to the top of Autosport National Rankings table

Alonso: Silverstone will be "not fun to drive" with 2026 F1 cars

Formula 1
British GP
Alonso: Silverstone will be "not fun to drive" with 2026 F1 cars

Motorsport UK and BRDC unite to develop young British drivers

National
Motorsport UK and BRDC unite to develop young British drivers

Italian GP: Toro Rosso 'hurry' caused Max Verstappen bodywork loss

Max Verstappen's spectacular loss of bodywork during Italian Grand Prix Formula 1 qualifying at Monza was due to Toro Rosso attempting a quick fix to get out in time

The teenaged F1 rookie appeared in the closing moments of Q1 after the engine was changed on his car.

Toro Rosso rushed to get Verstappen out for an installation lap before the session finished, but the car shed its rear bodywork on the run to Curva Grande.

"We were really in a hurry," said Verstappen after qualifying. "Normally we wouldn't get it done but I was quite surprised.

"The bodywork was only 50 per cent [secured] from all the bolts - we thought it would hold on as it is quite strong.

"I think it just got a bit too much vibration out of the pit."

With Renault's power deficit to Mercedes and Ferrari clear at Monza, Verstappen accepts he will need some luck to score a good result.

"I hope the McLarens will have a very good start and overtake a Sauber and slow them down a bit," he said.

"We'll need a bit of luck - we just need to be on track when other people make mistakes.

"Our race pace is quite good - we are competitive against Red Bull, faster than McLaren, and close to Sauber and Lotus."

Verstappen's team-mate Carlos Sainz Jr managed to outpace Red Bull's Daniil Kvyat in qualifying, and the Spaniard says Toro Rosso's focus will be on its sister team.

"We managed to beat him - it was kind of a pole position of the back," said Sainz.

"The Red Bulls should be a bit quicker in the race so it would be a good job to follow them even if we know it will be tough.

"We need a few retirements at the front to score points tomorrow.

"If not we will be fighting like in Canada, P13, P12. Our target should be similar, to try and beat a Red Bull if everything goes perfect."

Previous article Italian GP: Marcus Ericsson gets grid penalty after qualifying
Next article Italian GP: Nico Hulkenberg's car ran out of fuel in F1 qualifying

Top Comments

Latest news