Breaking: Red Bull Issue Warning to Max Verstappen Ahead of Monaco Grand Prix: “Things C…read more
Red Bull Issue Warning to Max Verstappen Ahead of Monaco Grand Prix: “Things Could Be a Lot Worse”
Max Verstappen may have returned to winning ways at Imola, but Red Bull Racing is warning that tougher challenges lie ahead as Formula 1 heads to the narrow, twisty streets of Monaco this weekend.
Despite being outqualified by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Verstappen showcased his world-class talent with a daring overtake at the first chicane – a move many have dubbed the overtake of the season. He went on to claim his second win of the 2025 season and his first since the Japanese Grand Prix in early April, narrowing the gap in the Drivers’ Championship to just 22 points.
Red Bull’s senior advisor Helmut Marko praised the team’s upgrades, stating that the RB21 is now responding exactly to Verstappen’s needs. “The car is now doing what Max wants again,” Marko told OE24. “That’s down to the updates, which have thankfully worked.”
However, Marko issued a strong caution about drawing conclusions too soon.
“That was just Imola,” he warned. “Things could look very different again at the next Grand Prix. Monaco is a completely different circuit with only slow corners. Things could be a lot worse there.”
While Red Bull’s Imola performance demonstrated their prowess on a high-speed track, the Circuit de Monaco presents a very different challenge, favoring mechanical grip and driver precision over aerodynamic efficiency. Last year, Verstappen could only manage P6 in Monaco, although he won there in both 2021 and 2023.
Verstappen himself echoed the caution, noting, “Monaco is very, very different. Last year was very difficult for us. I don’t expect it to be a lot easier this time around because of the low-speed nature, but we’ll see.”
Despite the concerns, Marko reaffirmed his belief in Verstappen’s abilities. “Max proved once again with his manoeuvre at the start that he is the best: only he can recognise the gap and then exploit it.”
As Formula 1 returns to one of its most iconic venues, all eyes will be on whether Red Bull’s upgrades and Verstappen’s brilliance can shine through the tight confines of Monte Carlo – or whether the team’s fears will come to pass.
