(Motorsport-Total.com) – Max Verstappen caused a stir after qualifying for the Canadian Grand Prix when he publicly stated that Red Bull had not taken his feedback on the car’s set-up into account. The four-time Formula 1 world champion explained that he had followed the team’s preferred direction, also to show that this approach would not work.
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“I’ve brought it up so many times, but sometimes you have to let others feel for themselves that it’s not working,” Verstappen said in Canada. Team boss Laurent Mekies later clarified that such “I told you so” situations are part of the team culture and, in his opinion, are even necessary to make progress.
“We talk about it constantly. We always try to find the optimum or at least make progress,” says Verstappen. However, the direction taken in Montreal was “no progress at all.” After a thorough analysis, this became clear. “Hopefully, this is simply a lesson for the upcoming races so that we ensure we take the right direction.”
First victory in 2026 still a long way off?
Already at the previous race in Montreal, Verstappen had jokingly stated with a view to the Monaco Grand Prix that he would have to “order a new back” for the race, as the RB22 continues to show weaknesses on bumps and kerbs.
Verstappen now adds that little has changed in recent weeks and that he therefore expects a difficult weekend in the Principality and does not count on a second consecutive podium finish.
Red Bull’s engine partner Ford, meanwhile, had indicated that the first podium finish of the year had raised expectations and that they hoped for a victory this season. However, Verstappen does not consider this realistic given the current balance of power.
Is Ferrari the Monaco favourite?
“Quite a few things would still have to happen for us to win a race. You can say that, but you have to stick to the facts. We are still too slow to win, and I think that will be the case here too.”
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For Monaco, Verstappen agrees with McLaren’s assessment that the team from Maranello goes into the race weekend as the favourite.
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“If you look at the past races, Ferrari was extremely strong in slow corners. That’s why I think they will be very good here. That’s my feeling. Here you have to be good in slow corners, but you also have to be able to drive well over kerbs and bumps and have a car that is easy to drive.”
Overtaking problem in Monaco
Finally, Verstappen explains to Motorsport.com that, in his opinion, the new generation of cars will change little in Monaco. The view from the cockpit might be slightly better, but he still does not expect a noticeable improvement in overtaking opportunities.
“The cars are smaller, you can see more of the tyres. On the other hand, drivability is a bit more difficult than last year, so I don’t think that will make a big difference,” says Verstappen.
“And the cars are still too big. You can’t overtake in Formula 2 either. You can’t overtake in Formula 3 either. You can’t even overtake in a Porsche Cup car. If you’re fighting against the cars around you, then you can’t overtake.”
The Red Bull driver therefore assumes that overtaking manoeuvres will remain a rarity in Monaco even in 2026.
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