From the F1 paddock in Monaco | Verstappen does not disappoint the media

Picked the third exit from the train station for the third day in a row. It doesn't seem to matter much. I end up lower this time, but there is still a considerable route to cover to the paddock. The temperature has been pleasant for days. Around 20 degrees with a strong sun presence. Although the paddock faces the occasional rain shower, it is nice to be in Monaco.

Why is Andretti not allowed by F1?

In the paddock, there is a lot of talk about Andretti. Team principals were also asked about it again at the press conference on Friday. Andretti are doing all it can to get into F1 after being denied an entry by the FOM. The FOM are sticking to their statement that the team could possibly join in 2028 if General Motors also supplies the engine then. High authorities in America are now investigating those statements.

The debate around antitrust laws is thus flaring up again. For while F1's private club say they want Andretti to join, they are also indirectly saying that it is really only allowed to join by buying out an existing team. The fact that three of the four team principals labelled that in the press conference as Andretti's "only option" to enter F1 surely suggests that they are simply keeping the door closed to an eleventh team on the grid.

Meanwhile, F1 and FIA did make peace again. The FIA came out with a statement that the FIA and F1 will work more closely together on a new strategic plan for the sport. A similar statement from F1 failed to materialise, although they were aware of the FIA statement. The relationship between the two sides has improved considerably, after months of bickering behind and in front of the scenes.

The main plans being formed now are the sporting regulations for 2026. Those are now ready at the FIA and are likely to be announced to the public around the Canadian Grand Prix. Those new sporting regulations will also have a new budget cap. A higher cap, but with more things inserted into it. So in total, teams will soon be allowed to spend less.

A remarkable sight was also visible in Red Bull's hospitality area. There, Christian Horner, Flavio Briatore and Bruno Famin dove into a secluded room together for a conversation. Flavio can easily be linked to Alonso, but is also an adviser on behalf of F1. Why and what Horner and Famin needed to speak to each other about is unclear at this point.

Verstappen reacts after major disappointment in Monaco

After a pole position for Richard Verschoor, there was again Dutch success on Saturday. Laurens van Hoepen, active in Formula 3 for ART, started the sprint race in Monaco from P2. An inferior start meant that after turn one that was third place, but that third place did eventually bring him to the podium. Already Van Hoepen's third podium this season.

After the third free practice and a rather tame sprint race in F2, it was finally time for qualifying. For the written media, a dilemma. After Q1, the first drivers were already trickling in, but the Monegasque organisers thought it was a good idea to set up the spot for written media so that you couldn't see anything from the footage. After all, you don't need to see what happens in qualifying if you have to ask the drivers questions right.....? Besides, the place was also full of sun, making the nearly one-and-a-half hours in that area feel long.

The very last to arrive at the written media was Verstappen. It was a while back that Verstappen had to report for this session. Indeed, normally, Verstappen is among the top three and slides into the press conference. However, Verstappen did not keep it short, like the one-minute interviews of the Mercedes drivers, for example, and spent a whopping seven minutes speaking to the media.

Verstappen was calm for over an hour after the session ended, but also very critical. The car was not running at all, the problems have been known for years and apparently still not solved. The irritation was clearly audible. Verstappen sees the competition approaching, and while he says he is not worried about the world title, it is clear that McLaren and Ferrari are working to close the gap.

Several drivers were irritated by the ad stickers on the track. Several parts had come off the walls, which bothered many drivers in Q1. With Sergio Perez, it still seemed like an excuse, but more drivers were bothered by it. Andrea Stella did not hold back in McLaren's press moment either. He found it incomprehensible that this was possible on an F1 circuit and during perhaps the most important session of the weekend. Verstappen wondered aloud why there was no red flag.

Of course, it does not detract from Charles Leclerc's pole position. Will he finally grab his first win in front of his own crowd or will the impressive Oscar Piastri run away with the win? At least Stella did not give in just yet. According to the McLaren team principall, Sunday's race is not a parade, but a day full of chances to still be able to win.

At the time of writing, I have yet to make the trip to the station. Yesterday, there was another piece of French logic presented there. It became too crowded at one entrance, so they decided to close it. A big trip was then needed to get to the other entrance. Logic teaches that if you start closing entrances, it only gets busier at the fewer number of entrances you are left with. Hopefully they have learnt from yesterday and the nearest route will be open today.

The crowds in front of the entrance and the lack of explanation as to why the exit was closed

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