Verstappen changes engine on Honda's advice: 'Penalty not too draconian'.
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Max Verstappen finished Friday's race at Monza with a second time, splitting the Ferrari's from Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc. According to Christian Horner, Verstappen has found a balance he is happy with and Sergio Perez is also well on his way to doing so.
Horner satisfied with Friday at Monza
Horner believes Red Bull Racing had a reasonable day and that the team are well on their way to finding the right balance for both drivers. "Max has certainly found a balance that he is happy with and I think Checo is getting closer and closer to that now," the Red Bull team boss told Sky Sports.
The Red Bull drivers are both driving around with a different floor, but according to Horner the difference is negligible. "We predict that it is less than a tenth of a second difference" the 48-year-old Briton continued.
The reason Perez is the only driver to drive the new floor so far is due to the budget, which is getting tight with seven races to go. However, Horner notes that Verstappen does not necessarily need the new part. "What he misses out on in the floor, he gains on in other elements. It evens its self out."
Both Verstappen and Perez will start the Italian Grand Prix with a five-place grid penalty because Red Bull has chosen to replace the internal combustion engine (ICE). Horner reveals that choice is based on Honda's advice: "We've elected to take the penalty here [for Max] on the advice of our engine partner. To take 5 places here isn't too draconian", Horner concludes.