Martin Brundle left ‘surprised’ by key Red Bull decision during the Italian Grand Prix

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There will be some concerned personnel within the Red Bull Racing garage after the Italian Grand Prix.

A difficult weekend saw Max Verstappen finish 6^th and Sergio Perez come home in 8^th as they watched on and witnessed two McLaren drivers on the podium at Monza.

Team principal Christian Horner will be relieved that Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc pulled off a fantastic one-stop strategy to deny either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri victory.

Norris was also overtaken by his teammate on the opening lap once again, limiting the damage to Verstappen’s title challenge.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

However, Nico Rosberg admitted before the race he was concerned about Red Bull and that came to pass during the race.

Commentating for Sky Sports F1 alongside David Croft, Martin Brundle expressed some confusion about one decision Red Bull made during the Italian Grand Prix.

The top three teams all started on the medium tyres, but Verstappen and Perez were both on the hard tyres.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links

Degradation was high as expected with the newly laid track and neither driver was in a position to one-stop like Leclerc.

Brundle didn’t understand why the team didn’t split their strategy as it left them vulnerable to an early safety car.

While that didn’t happen, by staying on the hard tyres after their first pit stop, they gave themselves no chance to attempt the strategy that earned the Monegasque driver the win.

Martin Brundle ‘surprised’ by Red Bull’s strategy or the Italian Grand Prix

Talking as the grid was formed, Croft explained: “Right, hard tyres on the Red Bull of Max Verstappen and also his teammate Sergio Perez.

“Hard tyres for Ocon, Tsunoda, Stroll and Bottas as well, so you need to get to lap 30 to make a one-stop strategy work, everyone else has gone on the medium tyre.

“Does it surprise you that Red Bull have gone different or do they have to try something?”

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Sergio Perez’s life outside F1 from net worth to nickname

Brundle replied: “I think because they’re struggling with the handling, they’ll want to try something.

“I’m surprised that they’ve done that with both cars and put pressure on the other teams because that is against expectation as you point out.

“They might struggle to get the cars off the line a little bit and warm up in the first few corners and throughout the first lap.

“But then, if they stay out of trouble, they can go nice and long.”

Red Bull troubles spotted in Monza qualifying

Horner’s team have been going backwards compared to their rivals for some time and the result at Monza highlights just how much work they have to do for the final eight race weekends of the season.

Peter Windsor explained Red Bull’s issues during qualifying and they occurred once again on Sunday.

Verstappen was left unsure why Red Bull didn’t bring a Monza-specific update for the weekend and he’ll have to hope that the car is better suited to the upcoming street circuits.

Red Bull were even making mistakes that they don’t usually make, with Verstappen left hitting his steering wheel after a slow pit stop.

The two-week break before the next race could be pivotal for Red Bull.

Perez may have just two races left to save his seat but by then Red Bull may no longer be in the lead of the Constructors’ Championship.