Max Verstappen blasted Red Bull Racing for not implementing his set‑up advice after the Canadian Grand Prix qualifying, insisting the Dutch champion deliberately ran a compromised configuration to prove the team’s direction was flawed.
Verstappen’s public rebuke and team culture response
During a post‑qualifying interview in Montreal, the four‑time world champion said, “I’ve pointed it out so many times already, but sometimes you just have to let them feel for themselves that it doesn’t work.” He added that voicing his displeasure was also a method to keep the engineers “sharp”.
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies later explained that such “I‑told‑you” moments are embedded in the squad’s culture, describing them as an essential component of progress rather than a breakdown in communication.
Internal review and lessons ahead of Monaco
At a Dutch media day in Monte Carlo, Verstappen confirmed the Montreal episode has been dissected within the team and framed it as a learning experience for future weekends. “We keep discussing it; it’s always about finding the optimum or at least making progress,” he noted.
He reiterated that the RB22 remains vulnerable on bumps and kerbs, joking he may have to “order a new back” for the upcoming race. Despite the criticism, Verstappen does not expect a podium finish in Monaco and believes the car’s handling deficiencies will still hamper his pace.
Ferrari poised as favourite, Red Bull’s win outlook
Echoing McLaren’s assessment, Verstappen identified Ferrari as the team most likely to dominate the principality, highlighting their recent strength in slow‑corner performance. “You need to be good in the slow corners, but also over the kerbs, the bumps, and in overall drivability – those are the areas where we currently lose time,” he explained.
Ford, Red Bull’s engine partner, expressed optimism after securing the season’s first podium, yet Verstappen cautioned that a victory remains unrealistic for the remainder of 2026. “Quite a lot of things still need to happen for us to get a win. We’re still too slow to win, and I think that will also be the case here,” he said.
New‑generation cars and overtaking prospects at Monaco
Regarding the latest aerodynamic package, Verstappen expects minimal impact on the street circuit. While the smaller chassis improves tyre visibility, he warned that “drivability is a bit more difficult than last year, so I don’t think it will make a huge difference.”
He added that the cars remain oversized for the narrow Monaco layout, drawing parallels with the overtaking challenges in Formula 2, Formula 3, and even the Porsche Cup, concluding that without a fundamental change, passing opportunities will stay scarce.
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