For Verstappen, the Monaco Grand Prix wasn’t really a race at all
Max Verstappen says he was "pretty bored" at the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix because he "wasn't really racing" due to tire strategies and the difficulties of overtaking in the race.
The Red Bull driver finished in sixth place in a race in the Principality that was poor in action, after the red flag on the first lap caused by the collision of Sergio Pérez with the two Haas drivers, allowing all other drivers to change tires and benefit from a free pit stop.
Despite the fact that Verstappen was one of the few drivers to opt for a second tire change, thereby covering Lewis Hamilton’s undercut attempt one lap earlier, and quickly catching up to the back of George Russell’s Mercedes, he could not find a way to pass him even with a significant advantage in terms of tires.
« After the red flag, our strategy was ruined because we had to put on the medium tires until the end, because everyone had a free pit stop, which meant we had to save a lot,” Verstappen explained after the race.
« I just tried to follow George and we were so far behind trying to manage the tires. It’s of course pretty boring out there, almost driving half-throttle on the straights in some places, a higher gear than usual and four seconds off the pace, so it’s not really racing.
Verstappen had a boring Sunday
The Dutch driver accepts that this is part of the Monaco Grand Prix race with the circuit configuration and believes that only a change will help spice up the action. “First, I would like to try, if possible, to change a few things. Because it will make the excitement even better.”
« Overall, the weekend is really cool, just Sunday is a bit boring unfortunately, but the setting is always beautiful. If we can find a way to run better, why not? That would be my favorite solution. »
« Yes [to changes in configuration], because for the moment, you can’t exceed. If I am asked for my opinion [on the changes], I will try to see what is possible, but it also depends on the routes you are going to take.
With Leclerc’s first victory at Monaco, Verstappen saw his lead in the Formula 1 world championship reduced to 31 points ahead of the Ferrari driver, while Red Bull’s advantage in the Formula 1 constructors’ world championship is reduced to 24 points ahead of the Italian team.
