Max Verstappen Drops Shocking Claim After Monaco GP Chaos

Max Verstappen offered candid feedback after finishing fourth in a Monaco Grand Prix full of unusual moments and experimental rules. The reigning Red Bull champion spoke out about the race’s lack of real excitement, saying that even with major changes, overtaking remains almost impossible on the narrow Monaco track.

Verstappen described the mandatory two-stop rule, trialed this year, as ineffective. He explained that drivers could make ten stops, and it still would not make a difference, as cars were unable to pass each other, regardless of tire condition or strategy.

For more on the technical challenges of Monaco’s circuit, see this analysis by the FIA.

Throughout the race, Verstappen found himself being chased by McLaren’s Lando Norris, who was on much fresher tires. Despite this advantage, Norris could not close in enough to attempt an overtake.

This highlighted the difficulty of trying to gain positions on the historic street circuit, where the qualifying lap mattered far more than any strategy call. Pole position in Formula 1 at Monaco remains about 11 seconds quicker than in Formula 2, yet Verstappen remarked that an F1 car these days could barely overtake an F2 car on these streets. Learn more about Monaco’s unique track characteristics from Motorsport Magazine.

In a lighthearted moment, Verstappen compared the event to a video game, joking that Formula 1 was turning into Mario Kart. He quipped about adding new features to cars, such as throwing bananas on the track to create slippery surfaces—an indirect way of pointing out how artificial gimmicks are creeping into the sport in hopes of spicing up the action.

The humor did little to cover up his real frustration with the current state of racing at Monaco. The mandatory two-stop strategy was intended to shake up the order and produce more on-track drama, but by the end of the race, fans and drivers seemed to agree that little had changed.

Verstappen’s delayed second stop to the final laps made no impact on his position or the excitement level. Other teams, including McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes, also struggled to find a way forward. For a deeper dive into Monaco’s overtaking challenges, check out this MIT Motorsports study.

Instead, race fans saw familiar issues: tight packs, very few real passing opportunities, and the procession that Monaco has often been criticized for. The results left Oscar Piastri in the championship lead with 161 points, trailed closely by Lando Norris at 158 points, while Verstappen remained third with 136 points.

McLaren also paced the Constructors’ standings with 319 points, ahead of Mercedes and Red Bull. Despite aggressive strategies and strong qualifying sessions, drivers like George Russell, Charles Leclerc, and Lewis Hamilton were unable to convert tire changes and timing into meaningful gains on the tight Monaco circuit.

Looking ahead, Formula 1 continues with the Spanish Grand Prix scheduled for June 1st at Circuit de Catalunya, followed by Canada on June 15th. Teams and officials will be watching closely to see if new ideas can deliver more exciting racing at street circuits. For the latest updates on F1 regulations, visit the official Formula 1 website.

For now, Verstappen’s words serve as a reminder that some tracks, no matter the rule changes, still pose unique and stubborn challenges for overtaking in modern F1. His observations follow his strong showing in the first laps despite the difficulties.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.