Max Verstappen faced significant struggles during the 2024 F1 Italian GP qualifying session, qualifying only in P7 due to balance issues with his Red Bull RB20, which he described as 'very difficult to drive.' Red Bull team principal Christian Horner and Verstappen's father, Jos, have voiced concerns about the car’s performance, with Jos criticizing Horner for the team's recent struggles. Meanwhile, Mercedes' Toto Wolff has maintained open communication with Verstappen, hinting at a potential future move to Mercedes, as Red Bull's dominance wanes and the relationship between Jos and Horner remains strained. Additionally, young driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli crashed out during his F1 practice debut for Mercedes, casting a shadow over his anticipated rise as Lewis Hamilton's replacement.