Verstappen: disappointing sixth place highlights difficulties with car in Monaco

Verstappen acknowledges performance issues won't be an easy fix: 'nothing made it better' in Monaco Grand Prix.

MONACO — Max Verstappen's remarkable streak of eight consecutive pole positions came to an unexpected halt at the legendary Monaco Grand Prix, as the Dutch driver qualified a disappointing sixth. The challenging street circuit laid bare the weaknesses of his Red Bull car, which struggled to handle the demanding track's bumps and kerbs.

Verstappen's frustrations were apparent throughout Monaco's practice sessions, and the issues persisted into qualifying. His final attempt was thwarted by a slight encounter with the wall at Turn One, resulting in a time 0.297 seconds shy of pole-sitter Charles Leclerc of Ferrari.

"We tried a lot of things on the car [during practice], literally nothing made it better, so you're just stuck," Verstappen explained. The difficulties in the second sector were particularly pronounced, where he struggled with the car's instability over kerbs. "It's like I'm running without suspension," he lamented. "It's jumping around a lot, not absorbing any kerb strikes or bumps or camber changes."

Remarkably, these issues are not unique to the current season. Verstappen noted that the problem has persisted since 2022 but was previously masked by Red Bull's competitive edge over rivals. However, with other teams such as Ferrari and McLaren closing the gap, the weaknesses have become more apparent.

"It's not something new," Verstappen said. "But with everyone catching up naturally, when you're not improving your weakest point, you get found out."

Looking ahead, Verstappen acknowledged that the issue won't be an easy fix, particularly on circuits where kerb riding is crucial for lap time. The upcoming race in Canada may pose similar challenges, although he anticipates fewer issues in Spain due to the smoother track surface.

"There are definitely a few tracks not ideal for us," Verstappen admitted. "But some races suit our car more. We know where we have to work on."

Verstappen's candid reflection highlights the ongoing battle in Formula 1, where the slightest deficiencies can be the difference between victory and disappointment. With a clearer understanding of their car's limitations, Red Bull now faces the task of addressing these vulnerabilities as the season progresses.

Up Next

• FP2: Leclerc dominates second practice session in Monaco; home hero shines
• Hamilton leads interrupted opening practice in Monaco

Season-Defining Headlines