Red Bull expects less easy weekend in Monaco
The Austrian team won the last race at Imola and seems to have made progress. Nevertheless, she feels that this could change in Monaco due to the bumps and numerous low-speed corners present.
A new title contender? While we thought McLaren was easily ahead of the competition, Red Bull hasn’t thrown in the towel yet. If the victory in Japan was more due to poorly optimized strategy on McLaren’s part, the win at Imola is indisputable. The Austrian team, led by its driver Max Verstappen, seemed to have complete control throughout the race. A convincing victory that brings renewed hope for the rest of the season.
With a new stage starting this weekend in Monaco, the ambitions are naturally high in the Red Bull camp. However, Helmut Marko, the team’s senior advisor, sought to temper the enthusiasm, reminding that the pace shown in Imola and the recent technical developments do not guarantee a similar success in the principality. “It was just Imola. Things could be very different at the next Grand Prix,” he stated.
Monaco, a less favorable circuit for Red Bull
Marko also pointed out that Monaco is a completely different circuit, composed only of slow corners, a profile that does not necessarily match the qualities of the RB21. Like its predecessor, the Austrian car shows weaknesses in low-speed corners and on the bumps, which are abundant on the streets of Monaco. Things could be much worse there, he even warned Max Verstappen.
For his part, the Dutchman remains cautious approaching the Monaco event. While his victory at Imola has boosted the whole team, he does not expect such a dominant performance this weekend. “This circuit has quite a few fast corners, which our car likes,” he had said after his victory in Emilia-Romagna. “Monaco is of course very, very different. So let’s see how we perform there. Last year, it was very challenging for us. I don’t expect it to be much easier this time, as there are many slow corners.”
Verstappen vs. McLaren: A New Duel Approaching?
In 2024, despite his status as championship leader, Verstappen had only finished in sixth place, nearly 15 seconds behind the winner Charles Leclerc. For the former Toro Rosso driver, the goal this weekend will be primarily to maximize the result. It’s just one race in the calendar, where you have to do your best. There will still be many races after, but it is clear that when we race on fast circuits, with high-speed corners, we are more competitive.
Despite everything, as Helmut Marko also points out, Monaco is a circuit where the driver can make a difference. Verstappen’s overtaking of Piastri in the first corner at Imola is further proof of this. Will he manage to clinch a third victory in the Principality after 2021 and 2023? We’ll find out this Sunday.
