Max Verstappen does not intend to ask Liam Lawson for any help in the qualifying session for the Italian Grand Prix of Formula 1. The Red Bull Racing driver stated that he prefers to focus on his own laps, even with the slipstream playing an important role in Monza.
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The Italian track may make this strategy more relevant than at other circuits. With the energy recovery limit set by the FIA at 5 MJ in qualifying and 7 MJ in the race, those who follow closely behind another car can save battery energy and use it at other moments of the lap.
Verstappen believes that drivers can run closer during the qualifying session, but does not consider it necessary to turn this into a deliberate strategy: “Maybe a little closer than you’ve seen in recent years,” the Dutchman said when asked about the possibility of following another car less than a second behind.
The four-time world champion also warned about the risk of excessive battling for position on track: “It’s very easy to put yourself in a bad position on track. We saw that a few years ago, when it was a big mess,” he said. Therefore, Verstappen emphasized that his intention is simply to complete his laps and find the best window for the car.
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When specifically asked about the possibility of Lawson being used to help him in Q3, Verstappen dismissed the idea: “Honestly, no, I really haven’t thought about that,” he added.
Verstappen continued, saying that he usually does not make this kind of request to Red Bull: “I never ask things from the team and leave that to them in these types of situations. I think that’s best,” he concluded.
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