Karun Chandhok shares if Monza track change will benefit Max Verstappen or Lando Norris

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Monza has undertaken some minor changes ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, which has altered the track’s dynamic.

The circuit is the fastest on the calendar and presents a unique challenge with multiple heavy braking zones into slow turns with minimal downforce.

Kerbs around the circuit have been reprofiled and are generally much flatter than in previous seasons, taking away some of the challenge at Monza.

Red Bull has struggled over the bumps and kerb throughout this season, which allowed McLaren to take advantage and win the Miami Grand Prix earlier this year.

Karun Chandhok believes Monza’s new kerbs will favour Red Bull

The changes at the Ascari chicane, in particular, have opened up the track through the middle of the turn and the exit.

This alteration, which removed the taller kerbs at the apex of the turn, allowed the cars to attack the final part of Ascari much more than in previous years.

Max Verstappen was fastest in the weekend’s opening practice session despite making a couple of minor errors at Turn 1 and resorting to the escape road.

Lando Norris was also at the sharp end of the field and set the third quickest time, two-tenths slower than Verstappen as the drivers adjusted to the new-look Monza.

Former Formula 1 driver Karun Chandhok believes the flatter kerbs at the track will give Red Bull a small advantage over their nearest rivals, McLaren.

He said while commentating on FP1 for Sky Sports: “I think these modifications to the circuit where the kerbs have been lowered gently across the board and therefore the cars are able to just run over them much more easily, I think it’s going to benefit Red Bull.

“They were struggling and they publicly were saying their car wasn’t great over bumps and kerbs earlier this season.”

Red Bull are under pressure in the Constructors’ Championship from McLaren

Red Bull was the class of the field at the start of the season, but McLaren has developed a car that can beat the reigning world champions.

This has ignited a battle for the Constructors’ Championship as there are just 30 points between the two teams with nine races to go.

Sergio Perez’s lacklustre performances have cost the team valuable points, and he failed to score a podium last time out at Zandvoort.

The championship battle remains open a McLaren have the quickest car and could be considered favourites to clinch their first Constructors’ title since 1998.