Max Verstappen is facing the possibility of a grid penalty as Red Bull has fitted a new gearbox ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, having already used up several components allowed under regulations. After a disappointing performance at the Dutch GP where he was overtaken by Lando Norris, Verstappen admitted the team is struggling to understand their car's issues and emphasized the importance of starting each race weekend with an optimal setup. He holds a 70-point lead over Norris but acknowledges the risk of losing that lead if performance does not improve. Additionally, Verstappen addressed concerns regarding Adrian Newey's departure from Red Bull, asserting that while there have been challenges with the RB20's handling, he does not believe Newey's exit is directly responsible for their recent struggles. Despite frustrations, Verstappen remains focused on maximizing performance leading into Monza, where he must fend off Norris to maintain his championship advantage.