Verstappen’s Awareness Highlights F1 Race IQ at Monza

Verstappen’s Sharp Eyes, McLaren Tensions & Tsunoda’s Future — F1 Monza Q&A

Max Verstappen’s uncanny observation of Lando Norris’ slow pit stop during the Italian Grand Prix raised eyebrows — and reminded fans just how sharp the Red Bull driver is behind the wheel.

Verstappen, on his way to converting pole to victory at Monza, was not informed by radio that Norris had suffered a delayed stop. Instead, he spotted it himself on a trackside TV screen — highlighting the elite spatial awareness and spare mental bandwidth that define F1’s greatest drivers.

“He had a slow stop?” Verstappen joked over the radio, despite receiving no such update.

This moment underscores a key trait of championship-calibre drivers: the ability to process information outside the cockpit while pushing the car to the limit. Verstappen, much like Fernando Alonso, belongs to the rare breed who can observe, calculate, and race — all simultaneously.

How Do Teams Like McLaren Split Driver Priorities?

After his retirement from the Dutch Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc sat on a sandbank, unable to get a lift back to the pits

At McLaren, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris are separated by just one point in the standings, but structurally, they operate as part of the same organization with parallel resources.

Each driver has dedicated engineers and mechanics. They make their own setup choices but share car specs — except for rare, feel-based customizations like Norris’ unique steering suspension tweak.

Race strategies are coordinated with both drivers in mind, though team orders, like those that saw Piastri let Norris through, can surface when championship points are at stake.

Tsunoda Running Out of Time

While Verstappen thrives, Yuki Tsunoda’s seat at Red Bull’s sister team Racing Bulls looks increasingly under threat. Despite qualifying well, his race pace has lagged — and an underwhelming showing at Monza has not helped.

“It’s fair to say we have more work to do on race pace,” said team boss Laurent Mekies.

Isack Hadjar appears to be the frontrunner to replace him, with Aston Martin possibly offering a backup reserve role when Honda joins them in 2026.

Red Bull’s Resurgence: Mekies’ Impact?

Red Bull’s performance has taken a noticeable step forward. New aerodynamic upgrades and better setup understanding helped Verstappen win at Monza and finish P2 in Zandvoort.

Much of this coincides with Mekies settling in as team principal. Verstappen praised the engineering-based leadership approach, noting fewer “extreme” setup swings and a better technical focus.

“Laurent is asking the right questions,” Verstappen explained, “and that helps us find real control.”

No, Drivers Don’t Carry Phones in the Car

As for Charles Leclerc, spotted scrolling a phone after crashing at Zandvoort — no, F1 drivers don’t carry phones in the car. He borrowed it from a photographer while waiting for transport.

Whether it’s the fine margins of in-race awareness, garage strategy, or driver futures, Monza showcased the layers of F1 that go beyond the track. With Ushering in technical change and driver turnover, the rest of the 2025 season promises no shortage of intrigue.