Sainz not swayed by potential Verstappen 'Monza curse'

Carlos Sainz played down talk of the so-called 'Monza curse' striking Max Verstappen in the Italian Grand Prix.

Since 2019, the winners of the race have been Charles Leclerc, Pierre Gasly, Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen, respectively.

Leclerc, Gasly and Ricciardo have all then retired when they have returned to Monza the year following their win, with 2022 winner Verstappen set to line up alongside Sainz on the front-row after the Ferrari pipped the Red Bull to pole position.

When asked about the 'curse' Sainz rejected it, believing whoever does win the race will simply do so because they will have earnt it.

Sainz rejects 'Monza curse'

"Maybe you should ask Max!," Sainz told media including RacingNews365.

"But honestly, I don't believe in statistics too much, and these kinds of curses or whatever.

"I think the one who deserves it the most and normally the one who is [quickest wins the race] – unless something happens.

"I'm just going to try to be that one, the faster one and the one that puts everything together and go into the race trying to enjoy the day.

"[I will] enjoy starting on pole in Monza with Ferrari, it is good energy and with good vibes. I'm just going to enjoy myself out there because it is going to be a lot of fun.

"[The win can] happen. Nothing is impossible, especially starting from P1.

"If I get a good start, I'm going to do everything I can to stay ahead of Max.

"Looking back at this year, one hundred per cent of races, they've been quicker and they've been clearly quicker.

"So that makes me feel like it's not going to be easy at all and they're going to try to find a way past one way or another.

"But something could happen.

"We could also have a particularly good day and get the win.

"I'm just going to try, and go open-minded into the race, drive as I want to win the race and then adapt to the circumstances and to the race pace of each car."