F1 News
Verstappen tells what it was like not competing for victory in Monaco
- Cas van de Kleut
Max Verstappen has won races more often than not over the past two seasons. Recently, the Dutchman seems to be struggling a little harder. McLaren and Ferrari have upgraded their cars, and this has been reflected in the results. In Monaco, a win was far out of sight for the Red Bull driver. Verstappen reacts after the Monaco Grand Prix when asked what it is like not to be able to compete for victory.
By 2022, when the new regulations were introduced, it was clear that Red Bull had built a competitive car. Despite Ferrari starting strongly, Verstappen ended up taking the world title relatively easily. The following year, in 2023, things went even easier. The Dutchman won no fewer than 19 out of 22 races. A record in more ways than one.
This season too, Verstappen got off to a strong start, but in recent race weekends, things have been more difficult. In Miami, the three-time world champion was beaten by Lando Norris and in Imola, too, things almost went wrong against the Briton at the end of the Grand Prix. In Monaco, Ferrari actually came out strong again. Charles Leclerc won the Grand Prix and the Dutchman finished only sixth.
Verstappen over not being able to contend for victory
So Verstappen did not come close to victory. That he was so far away from winning is logical, however, the three-time world champion explained, "It's quite realistic, of course, after our struggles the whole weekend. So it's no surprise. And of course, it's not the first time that I've been in this position [referring to the period before 2021]. Only, of course, the last few years, maybe a little bit less."
This article was written in collaboration with Olly Darcy