Martin Brundle heard something in Max Verstappen Monza onboard that shows why he’s no longer dominant

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Max Verstappen took pole position for the Italian Grand Prix on Saturday. No driver has scored more than his five this year.

Verstappen took provisional pole on the first runs in Q3 and improved on his second run after Lando Norris briefly dislodged him. He now has more poles than the McLaren driver this year and as many as Oscar Piastri.

But the four-time world champion has already conceded this year’s title. He entered the weekend over 100 points behind Piastri.

Verstappen has only won two of the first 15 races this year in a car that ranks fourth in the constructors’ championship. Teammate Yuki Tsunoda is down in 19th in the standings, underlining how difficult this year’s Red Bull is to drive.

Martin Brundle notes slight throttle delay in Max Verstappen’s Italian Grand Prix onboard

Verstappen will be a factor in the title battle between Piastri and Norris, but he isn’t an active participant himself. Sky Sports pundit Martin Brundle heard something during his onboard at the start of Q2 that explains why his run of dominance is over.

Brundle noticed a slight delay in Verstappen applying the throttle on corner exit, relative to recent years. The Dutchman was trying to equal Michael Schumacher’s record run of five straight championships, but wasn’t furnished with the car to do so.

Verstappen has still been one of the standout performers on the grid this year, with no suggestion that his individual level has dropped. But he isn’t able to drive the RB21 quite as aggressively as he’d like.

• READ MORE: Jos Verstappen wasn’t happy with what he saw from Max Verstappen in one F1 race this season

“You could just hear the delay of Max piling back on the throttle is more than we had for those years where he was dominating,” Brundle observed. “Just that little pregnant, pause in the middle of a corner.”

Despite the car’s limitations, Verstappen’s talent once again shone through at Monza. He outpaced Tsunoda (P10) by seven-tenths of a second.

How many poles does Max Verstappen have for Red Bull?

Verstappen has now increased his career pole tally to 45. This inches him closer to fellow Red Bull legend Sebastian Vettel, who sits fourth all-time.

He only needs one more pole to match Ayrton Senna’s tally with McLaren. Lewis Hamilton holds the all-time single-team record with 78 for Mercedes.

Some in the paddock have theorised that Verstappen would be more competitive in the Racing Bulls car. Isack Hadjar’s podium has strengthened the consensus that it’s easier to drive.

However, Verstappen says he couldn’t beat McLaren in the VCARB02. He can accept one season off the throne, but his patience may not last into 2026.