Max Verstappen cautious in Monaco: "I don't think it will be a very easy weekend"

After a nail-biting victory at Imola, Max Verstappen is getting ready for a more challenging weekend in Monaco. During the press conference organised by the FIA, he expressed his concerns about the unique challenges that the Monegasque circuit presents.

(English translation) « Looking at the layout of the track, this probably won't be our best circuit," Verstappen said. « Our car usually struggles with bumps and curbs. We've worked on it compared to last year, but I don't think it will be a very easy weekend."

Verstappen emphasized that despite the improvements made to the car, Monaco remains a notoriously difficult circuit. "Even when you are supposed to have the best car, Monaco is a very delicate circuit to get everything working," he explained. "There are always a lot of disturbances, red flags, and many things can go well, but many things can also go wrong."

Max Verstappen will keep an eye on McLaren.

Last week in Imola, Verstappen and his team started the weekend in a chaotic way before managing to turn the situation around. "I wouldn't want to relive a weekend like that," he admitted. "It's quite stressful and not pleasant, but we know that it's a more difficult circuit for us, even though we have already won there in the past."

Speaking of his competitors, the Dutchman acknowledged the rise in power of Ferrari and McLaren. "Ferrari has always been very, very strong here," he said. "And recently, McLaren, in the last two races, has really increased in performance. They are surely to be watched as well. In Monaco, you can have surprises."

Max Verstappen's approach to the weekend in Monaco remains cautious. "It's always a very, very difficult weekend to piece everything together and be on pole here. So I don't really want to anticipate too far," he pointed out. "I think so far, it's been going very well in qualifying, so of course, I will try, but it's not guaranteed, especially in Monaco."

The threat of Lando Norris

Interviewed about Lando Norris' ambitions to put pressure on in the title race this season, Verstappen responded in a pragmatic manner. "I think everyone should think like that, especially after their last two races, they are really in the mix," he observed. "But on our side, we just continue to try to improve our package. My approach has always been the same."

In response to a question about McLaren's recent performance and whether it affects his desire to stay with Red Bull, Verstappen was clear, without real surprise. "We always have a very, very fast car," he said. "If you look at the average of the season so far, I think we have the fastest car. Otherwise, you wouldn't be leading the championship. I'm happy where I am. We just have to keep working, keep trying to improve our package."