Max Verstappen has confirmed that he is not planning to use a fourth engine at this weekend's Italian Grand Prix, therefore avoiding a grid penalty for excessive use of power unit elements. Red Bull have previously stated that Verstappen will have to take a grid penalty during the second half of the 2021 Formula 1 season, after his second engine was damaged at Silverstone when he collided with Lewis Hamilton. "We haven't really decided yet where to take it [the grid penalty]," Verstappen told RacingNews365.com and other select members of the press. "This engine is still very new, so we will see. It's definitely not the plan to take it here [at Monza]." Mercedes may also take a grid penalty as they have not ruled out whether Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas will also use a fourth power unit this season. Verstappen leads Hamilton by three points in the Drivers' Championship with nine rounds remaining. He is not sure how competitive Red Bull will be across the Italian GP weekend at Monza. "For sure, we will have a more competitive car than in previous years, but I'm not sure whether it will be enough to fight them [Mercedes]," said Verstappen. "Nevertheless, with Sprint Qualifying it's going to be very different. We did our homework before getting here and we can be very competitive. "It's difficult to say where we will stand. I definitely don't expect it to be like Zandvoort."
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