MONTE-CARLO, MONACO – MAY 28: Max Verstappen, from the Netherlands, driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB19 on the track during the Monaco F1 Grand Prix at the Monaco Circuit on May 28, 2023 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images)
Verstappen’s recent performance has been lacking compared to his usual dominance, struggling to find speed from the start. Red Bull made changes on the second day, but it was just enough for him to narrowly win in Imola. However, in Miami, he was defeated by Lando Norris. Nevertheless, the three-time Formula 1 champion is optimistic about the upcoming race in Monaco, despite Red Bull’s historical difficulties on the track during the “ground effect” era of F1 rules.
Reflecting on Imola, Verstappen expressed his satisfaction with the close race and his victory. Now he awaits the second race of the double-header. Recognizing the challenges of a narrow street circuit, he emphasized the importance of a strong qualifying session, as overtaking is particularly difficult. The Monaco race often depends on strategy and requires intense concentration and focus.
Verstappen hopes that the team’s analysis and preparations will lead to an improvement in performance in Monaco. He is looking forward to seeing what the weekend will bring and enjoys the bustling and lively atmosphere of the race. Being close to home, he finds it comforting to be able to return home at night.
Perez had a challenging experience in Imola, failing to reach Q3 in qualifying and struggling during the race. However, he has a successful history on street circuits and has already won in Monaco. He acknowledges that Monaco is a standout race on the calendar and holds a special meaning for him.
Although the event itself is grandiose, Perez and the team remain focused on extracting the maximum performance from the car. The pressure to deliver intensifies on Saturday in Monaco, as overtaking becomes almost impossible on Sunday. Perez is determined to bounce back after a tough weekend in Italy. He emphasizes that success is a collective effort involving not only himself, but also the engineers and the car team.
Perez and the team have been working hard to understand their challenges in Imola. They recognize that it takes the whole factory to optimize the performance of the fast car and secure a place on the podium. Perez aims to regain momentum and believes that, with the right approach, they can deliver a strong performance in Monaco.
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