Verstappen: Renault Aren’t A ‘Massive Threat’ To Red Bull

The Dutch driver won his sixth consecutive podium at Spa-Francorchamps and is hoping for another strong result at Monza.

Max Verstappen has downplayed the threat Renault pose to Red Bull at individual Grand Prix and in the 2020 Formula One Constructors’ Standings.

“I think where there are a lot of long straights Renault seem to have quite a good balance on the car and a good trade-off between top speed and cornering, but we will see,” he said.

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“Overall, I don’t think they are a massive threat, maybe at Monza they will be close again but we will see when we are out on track.”

Renault drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Esteban Ocon finished fourth and fifth, respectively, at last weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, splitting the two Red Bulls.

When asked about the ban on high-power qualifying engine modes, Verstappen said he hopes it will level the playing field “but there is no point in guessing.”

“It [Monza] isn’t normally our best track with all the long straights, but last year in practice we were quite competitive before taking a penalty so let’s hope that it is going to be the same again this year,” Verstappen said.

He noted that he scored his sixth consecutive podium last time out at the Belgian Grand Prix and is hoping Red Bull can catch up to Mercedes.

“Spa was my sixth podium in a row so hopefully we can keep this streak going and soon fight for first instead of second and third but that might not be the case here.

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“Of course, we keep pushing and we don’t give up but we have to be realistic that Mercedes are still the favourites,” he added.

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