Max Verstappen’s Monaco Nightmare: Red Bull’s Setup Changes Backfire, Threatening Pace
In a shocking turn of events during the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix practice sessions, Max Verstappen found himself struggling with the setup changes made by Red Bull, admitting they had “overdone it” and that the tweaks were “shattering a lot of pace.” The Dutch driver, who ended FP2 in 10th place, expressed his frustration with the team’s decision that affected the performance of his RB21.
Verstappen’s woes continued as he faced traffic issues, compounding his challenges on the narrow streets of Monaco. Despite a positive FP1, the reigning World Champion disclosed to Sky Sports F1 that the changes for FP2 pushed the car’s balance too far, hindering his ability to attack corners as desired. This setback left Verstappen trailing behind his rivals, including Ferrari and McLaren, with Charles Leclerc leading the way in practice sessions.
Acknowledging the struggles Red Bull faced in low-speed corners before the race weekend, Verstappen braced for a tough battle in Monaco, calling it a “damage limitation” exercise. With Ferrari and McLaren displaying strong pace, the 27-year-old driver conceded that Red Bull needed to make significant improvements to compete at the front of the grid.
Despite the challenges, Verstappen remains optimistic about Red Bull’s potential, aiming to close the gap to the leading pack before the race day. The Monaco Grand Prix promises to be a thrilling spectacle as teams fine-tune their strategies for the demanding street circuit.
Stay tuned for more updates on Max Verstappen’s quest for redemption in Monaco as the anticipation builds towards the race weekend.