Max Verstappen has ruled out ever stepping into Red Bull’s famed Monaco hospitality pool, citing an unsanitary incident he witnessed last year.
Why the Dutch champion won’t take the plunge
When teammate Isack Hadjar quipped that a victory would see him dive in “naked,” Verstappen reminded fans of a previous splash where a competitor stripped off his socks, leaving blue fluff on the water’s surface. “If you win, good luck. I’ll be watching, but I’m not jumping in,” he posted on Red Bull’s Instagram.
Current form and practice performance
Verstappen, a double‑Monaco winner from 2021 and 2023, sits seventh in the drivers’ championship with 43 points after five rounds. In the lead‑up sessions, Ferrari topped the timing sheets in both Friday practice periods, while Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli claimed the fastest lap in the final practice. The Dutch driver placed third in the first two sessions and slipped to fifth in the last.
Monaco Grand Prix at a glance
The race is scheduled for Sunday 7 June, 15:00 local time (14:00 UK). With Ferrari showing strong early pace and Red Bull’s star reluctant to join the traditional pool celebration, the showdown on Monte Carlo’s tight streets promises a tightly contested battle for the podium.
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