Verstappen’s Red Bull squad has either missed pole or lost it to a grid penalty four times this year, but still retains a 100% winning streak as its RB19 package is particularly dominant in race trim.
The car’s relative qualifying weakness – it has nevertheless been taken to 10 poles via Verstappen and his team-mate Sergio Perez, who starts the Monza race in fifth – helped Ferrari pip Red Bull to pole for its home race, with Charles Leclerc starting third in the Scuderia’s other SF-23.
When asked if he can realistically challenge Verstappen for the Italy victory on Sunday, Sainz replied: “I think it 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, 100% 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 in open-minded, drive us as I want to win the race and then adapt to the circumstances and to the race pace of each car.”
Source: Autosport