Max Verstappen’s Struggle in Monaco Qualifying Leaves Red Bull Frustrated
Red Bull’s hopes for a front-row grid slot at the Monaco Grand Prix were dashed as Max Verstappen had to settle for P4 in qualifying. Helmut Marko, the team’s advisor, expressed bewilderment over the lack of grip that plagued Verstappen during the session.
Despite showing promise in the final practice session by setting the second fastest time, Verstappen faced challenges with grip and handling during qualifying. His struggles were evident as he grappled with the car’s performance, particularly in the low-speed corners and over the kerbs.
Verstappen’s dissatisfaction was palpable over team radio as he lamented the lack of grip, ultimately setting the fifth fastest time, over seven-tenths behind pole-sitter Lando Norris. Marko acknowledged the team’s confusion over the drop in performance from practice to qualifying, highlighting the car’s issues with grip at a crucial moment.
The 27-year-old driver, while elevated to fourth on the grid due to a penalty for Lewis Hamilton, acknowledged the team’s overall lack of speed. Marko remains cautious about Red Bull’s performance in the race, noting the uncertainty surrounding Norris’ pace and the impact of Formula 1’s mandatory two-stop strategy for Sunday’s race.
As the Monaco Grand Prix unfolds, all eyes will be on Red Bull and Verstappen as they strive to overcome the challenges that have hindered their performance in qualifying.